FinBox launches AI-powered Atlas platform for loan processing in India
Key Updates:
FinBox, a credit infrastructure FinTech, has launched Atlas, an AI-powered lending platform to streamline loan processing in India.
The platform reduces loan processing timelines from three weeks to 24 hours by automating workflows and enhancing borrower onboarding.
The Atlas suite includes two specific modules: Atlas Flow for application journeys and Atlas Origin for proactive document management.
The platform achieves application completion rates of 85% in under ten minutes and reduces credit turnaround to one day.
Rajat Deshpande serves as the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FinBox.
Similar Coverage
Jio Finance Platform and Service Limited (JFPSL) launches AI-powered JioFinance app with Finsider early access. (Start of March)▼
Jio Finance Platform and Service Limited (JFPSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL), launched the JioFinance app and introduced an early access initiative titled ‘Finsider’.
The app aggregates financial products including home loans, loans against securities, personal loans, credit cards, insurance, UPI services, life and general insurance, mutual funds, investment advisory, fixed deposits, digital gold, tax filing tools, and a savings account with automated liquidity management.
The platform uses artificial intelligence-based systems with multiple AI agents and decision engines to assess user intent, eligibility and financial profile in real time for customised product recommendations.
Select users in the Finsider early access programme can test the app, provide feedback, and earn JioPoints redeemable against rewards.
Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) launches world's first Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Sovereign Financial Cloud (Start of March)▼
The CBUAE has launched the Sovereign Financial Cloud Services Infrastructure (SFCSI), the world’s first sovereign financial cloud for the nation’s financial sector.
The SFCSI was developed in partnership with Core42, which is a subsidiary of the AI and technology group G42.
The SFCSI is built on a fully isolated and centralised system to ensure data sovereignty within the legal and security perimeter of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The platform integrates advanced AI and real-time analytics to automate operational processes and enhance risk management for licensed financial institutions.
The SFCSI provides a unified multi-cloud management framework for institutions to manage private and hybrid cloud environments seamlessly.
The CBUAE initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign systems and strengthen the resilience of the financial sector against cyber-attacks and fraud.
Global Financial Regulators Assess Risks of Anthropic Mythos AI to Banking Systems (Start of May)▼
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) are monitoring Anthropic’s Mythos AI model for its potential to destabilise banking systems.
South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) convened with banks and insurance companies to review vulnerabilities associated with the AI tool.
The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) in the Netherlands reported that Mythos can construct chain attacks by combining small, seemingly harmless software bugs into serious exploits.
The Canadian Financial Sector Resiliency Group (CFRG) and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) met with executives from Canada’s six largest banks to discuss AI-related cybersecurity risks.
Anthropic has restricted Mythos from public release to prevent the tool from being weaponised to detect and exploit software vulnerabilities within the global financial sector.
Gnani.ai and Razorpay launch agentic AI platform for in-call UPI payments (Start of March)▼
Gnani.ai and Razorpay have partnered to launch an agentic AI collections platform that can complete Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions during live customer calls.
The platform utilizes Razorpay’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to connect AI agents directly to payment infrastructure for real-time transaction initiation and tracking.
The system currently supports two payment flows: one-time UPI payments and mandate-based UPI SBMD, also known as Reserve Pay, for recurring obligations.
Gnani.ai’s voice AI systems support conversations in more than 38 languages and currently handle over 10 million calls per day.
The partnership builds on previous work by Razorpay with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and OpenAI to integrate UPI payments within chat interfaces like ChatGPT.
Security protocols ensure that customer payment details do not pass through the voice AI system and are processed exclusively through Razorpay’s infrastructure.
The platform allows AI agents to assess customer intent, generate transaction-specific payment links, and confirm receipt during the same interaction.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Cancels Licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai, effective from the close of business on May 12, 2026.
The RBI stated that the bank lacks adequate capital and earning prospects, making its continuance prejudicial to the interests of its depositors.
The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra, has been requested to issue a winding-up order and appoint a liquidator for the bank.
Depositors are entitled to receive insurance claims up to a monetary ceiling of ₹5,00,000 from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
Approximately 98.36 per cent of depositors are entitled to full deposit recovery, with the DICGC having already paid ₹26.72 crore as of March 31, 2026.
Similar Coverage
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Paytm Payments Bank (End of April)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank on April 24, 2026, under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The RBI cited that the bank's business was conducted in a manner harmful to depositors' interest and failed to comply with the conditions stipulated in its licence.
Paytm Payments Bank received a limited banking licence in 2015 and commenced operations in May 2017.
In March 2022, the RBI directed the bank to stop onboarding new customers.
The RBI barred the bank from accepting fresh deposits and credits after March 15, 2024, except for interest, refunds, cashbacks, and sweep-ins.
As of March 2025, the bank recorded total deposits of ₹13.95 billion and a loss of ₹946.4 million.
The RBI announced it would approach the High Court for the winding up of the bank.
The parent company of the bank is One 97 Communications.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Imposes Penalties on YES Bank and Hinduja Housing Finance Ltd (Mid of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹31.80 lakh on YES Bank.
The penalty on YES Bank was levied for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Know Your Customer (KYC) norms.
YES Bank failed to implement a system using the KYC Identifier assigned by the Central KYC Records Registry for establishing account-based relationships.
The RBI conducted a statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of YES Bank with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2025.
A separate penalty of ₹1.8 lakh was imposed on Hinduja Housing Finance Ltd for non-compliance with directions relating to governance.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank effective 6 April 2026. (Start of April)▼
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of The Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank due to inadequate capital and earning prospects.
The bank ceases all banking operations from the close of business on 6 April 2026.
The Commissioner for Cooperation, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has been requested to order winding up and appoint a liquidator.
Depositors will receive up to Rs 5 lakh per account from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
As per bank data, 99.7% of depositors are eligible to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC.
As on 31 January 2026, DICGC has already paid Rs 48.95 crore of total insured deposits based on depositors' willingness.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels 36 NBFCs’ Certificate of Registration and accepts surrender of 9 licences in February 2026. (Mid of March)▼
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of 36 NBFCs in February 2026.
Nine NBFCs surrendered their CoR to RBI during the same month.
Cancellation dates for the 36 NBFCs range from 16 February 2026 to 24 February 2026.
Among the cancelled NBFCs, Excellence Broking & Finance (P) Ltd. had its CoR issued on 1 November 2006 and cancelled on 16 February 2026.
Manglam Vanijya Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 19 August 2013 and the surrender was accepted on 11 February 2026.
KKR India Asset Finance Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 29 May 2024 and the surrender was accepted on 23 February 2026.
Premier Ferro Alloys & Securities Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 23 October 2003 and the surrender was accepted on 16 February 2026.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) releases LEADS 2025 report and LEAPS 2025 awards
Key Updates:
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organised the Logistics Excellence, Advancement and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025 Awards and released the LEADS 2025 report in New Delhi.
India's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) cover 38 developed economies across nine FTAs, with four operational and five expected within the next 12 months.
India is conducting negotiations to widen market access with the GCC, Canada, Mexico, Chile, SACU, and Mercosur.
India achieved record exports of USD 863 billion in 2025-26 and has set a target of USD 1 trillion for the current year.
Under the LEADS 2025 report's revised four-tier classification, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, and Delhi were placed as Exemplars.
The LEAPS Awards winners include FedEx, MSC, Safexpress, DP World Rail Logistics, Delhivery, and IIM Mumbai.
Similar Coverage
Ministry of Defence (MoD) records India's defence exports at ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26 (Start of April)▼
India's defence exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, up over 62% from FY 2024-25.
Defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) contributed 54.84% of total exports, while private industry contributed 45.16%.
Defence exports rose from ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023-24 to ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024-25 before the FY 2025-26 jump.
Export Promotion Mission (EPM) ₹25,060-crore seven-point plan to boost exports (End of February)▼
Export Promotion Mission (EPM) launched by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal with ₹25,060-crore outlay over six years.
Live Events Direct E-Commerce Credit Facility offers up to ₹50-lakh credit with 90% guarantee for digital exporters.
Overseas Inventory Credit Facility provides up to ₹5-crore credit, 75% guarantee and 2.75% interest subvention capped at ₹15-lakh per year.
Interest subvention of 2.75% on export factoring through RBI- or IFSCA-recognised entities, capped at ₹50-lakh per MSME annually.
Trade Regulations, Accreditation and Compliance Enablement (TRACE) reimburses 60% of certification costs under Positive List and 75% under Priority Positive List with annual ceiling of ₹25-lakh per entity.
Facilitating Logistics, Overseas Warehousing and Fulfilment (FLOW) gives up to 30% support for approved overseas warehousing costs over three years.
Logistics Interventions for Freight and Transport (LIFT) reimburses up to 30% of eligible freight expenses, capped at ₹20-lakh per year for exporters in northeastern and hilly regions.
INSIGHT programme covers 50% of project costs for trade intelligence, up to 100% for government or Indian mission proposals.
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) projects India's economy to grow at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027 (End of April)▼
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026.
India's economy is projected to grow at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027.
India's growth rate for 2025 was 7.4%, supported by rural economy consumption, goods and services tax rate cuts, and export frontloading.
Inflation in India is projected to be 4.4% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027.
Economies in South and South-West Asia grew by 5.4% in 2025 and 5.2% in 2024.
India's exports to the United States declined by 25% in the second half of 2025 following the introduction of 50% tariffs in August 2025.
India attracted the largest share of greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first three quarters with $50 billion, followed by Australia ($30 billion), Republic of Korea ($25 billion), and Kazakhstan ($21 billion).
India was the world's largest remittance recipient in 2024 with $137 billion.
The United States has levied a 1% tax on all remittances since January 2026.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimated that India has 1.3 million green jobs, which is 8% of the global total of 16.6 million.
India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme provides incentives for domestic manufacturing of solar photovoltaic, batteries, and green hydrogen.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) records India's total exports at US$ 790.86 billion for April 2025-February 2026 (Mid of March)▼
India's total merchandise and services exports grew by 5.79% to reach US$ 790.86 billion (₹72.76 lakh crore) between April 2025 and February 2026.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) reported that merchandise exports during this period reached US$ 402.93 billion (₹37.07 lakh crore), an increase of 1.84% compared to the previous year.
Non-petroleum exports rose by 5.03% to US$ 354.12 billion (₹32.58 lakh crore) during the April-February period.
Merchandise imports reached US$ 713.53 billion (₹65.64 lakh crore), resulting in a merchandise trade deficit of US$ 310.60 billion (₹28.58 lakh crore).
In February 2026, India's export value reached US$ 76.13 billion (₹7.00 lakh crore), representing an 11.05% increase compared to the previous year.
Export growth was supported by sectors including engineering goods, electronics, chemicals, gems and jewellery, agri-based products, pharmaceuticals, marine products, rice, handicrafts, coffee, meat, dairy, and poultry products.
Significant export growth was recorded in markets including China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Togo, Sri Lanka, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) sign MoU to curb mule accounts
Key Updates:
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to combat mule accounts.
The collaboration will utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and cull hidden mule accounts by feeding data from the I4C Suspect Registry into AI-driven fraud detection systems.
The RBIH will use datasets to train and enhance AI-driven fraud-risk assessment models, including MuleHunter.ai, which is implemented across banks.
The MoU was signed by Roopa M, IG (Admin) of I4C, and Sahil Kinni, CEO of RBIH, in the presence of senior officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The agreement aims to facilitate cooperation in fraud-risk intelligence sharing, analytical support, and operational coordination to strengthen proactive fraud detection and prevention mechanisms.
Similar Coverage
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) constitutes 'cyber-suraksha.ai' task force (Start of May)▼
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted a dedicated task force named "cyber-suraksha.ai" to examine cybersecurity risks arising from advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
SEBI identified AI-driven vulnerability detection tools, such as "Claude Mythos", as sources of new risks for regulated entities.
The "cyber-suraksha.ai" task force includes representatives from Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), Qualified Registrar and Transfer Agents (QRTAs), regulated entities, and other stakeholders.
The task force aims to devise a uniform mitigation strategy and facilitate the sharing of threat intelligence, best practices on vulnerability management, use cases, and playbooks.
SEBI emphasised accelerating onboarding to Market Security Operations Centres (M-SOC) established by the National Stock Exchange of India and BSE for real-time cyber threat monitoring.
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) Sign 5-Year Cybersecurity Pact (Start of May)▼
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has entered into a five-year partnership with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) to bolster India's digital identity infrastructure.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was formalised between UIDAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vivek Chandra Verma and S.O. Junare, Director of the Gujarat Campus of NFSU.
The collaboration focuses on six strategic domains: academic enrichment, information security, forensic capabilities, cybersecurity technical support, research in cutting-edge technologies, and educational outreach.
Joint research efforts under this agreement will explore artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, deepfake detection, and cryptographic technologies.
The partnership aims to strengthen digital resilience and forensic capabilities to safeguard digital public infrastructure while providing student placement and capacity building opportunities.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launches AI-powered chatbot ABHAY for notice verification (End of April)▼
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will include special QR codes on its notices from May 1 to verify their genuineness.
Verification will be conducted through an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot named ABHAY.
The ABHAY chatbot is available on the CBI website and checks the agency's database to determine if a document is genuine or forged.
The QR codes on the notices will also include the expiry dates of the documents.
The initiative was launched by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant at the 22nd D P Kohli Memorial Lecture.
FIU-IND and I4C sign MoU to combat cyber fraud and financial crimes (Mid of April)▼
Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance information sharing and coordination.
The MoU was signed by Shri Amit Mohan Govil, Director, FIU-IND, and Shri Rajesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, I4C.
The collaboration aims to develop operational information and support investigative agencies to prevent financial crimes, protect digital transactions and undertake asset recovery.
The MoU will enable both agencies to establish robust feedback mechanisms for enhancing fraud detection protocols at the national level.
FIU-IND is the central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analysing, and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions and coordinating efforts against money laundering and financing of terrorism.
I4C is an attached office of MHA responsible for providing a framework and ecosystem for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for dealing with Cyber Crime in coordinated and comprehensive manner.
AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) launches four-card credit card portfolio
Key Updates:
AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) launched a segmented four-card credit card portfolio targeting first-time credit customers, young salaried professionals, Gen Z spenders, and affluent travellers.
The AU Ananta Credit Card offers 8,000 welcome reward points, 16 annual complimentary domestic airport lounge visits, and up to 50,000 bonus points on annual spends of ₹10 lakh.
The AU Ananta Credit Card features an industry-first benefit of complimentary airport lounge access for cardholders and their family members when flight tickets are booked via the AU Rewardz platform.
The AU Vibe Credit Card provides 4,000 reward points or a ₹1,000 voucher, 15% instant discount on grocery and food delivery partners, and 8 annual airport lounge visits.
The AU Value Credit Card offers 2,000 reward points or a ₹500 voucher and up to 10% cashback on cab bookings, bill payments, grocery, movies, and food delivery.
The AU Lite Credit Card is an entry-level product for first-time borrowers featuring reward points on daily spending, milestone incentives, and fuel surcharge waivers.
Similar Coverage
AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) and CheQ launch LED-powered co-branded credit card (Mid of April)▼
AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) and CheQ have launched a co-branded credit card featuring an LED-powered tap-to-pay indicator.
The LED feature is powered by the Near Field Communication (NFC) field of the point-of-sale terminal and does not require a battery.
Applications for the card open on the CheQ app from April 28.
The card operates on both Visa and RuPay networks to support global acceptance and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.
The reward structure includes 12% rewards on e-commerce and bill payments, 5% on everyday spending, 2.5% on UPI transactions via RuPay, and 1% on other spends.
The card has an annual fee of ₹499, which is waived on annual spends of ₹3 lakh.
The LED variant carries a one-time fee of ₹999, which is waived until May 31.
Cardholders receive a complimentary EazyDiner membership as a welcome benefit.
Vivek Tripathi appointed Executive Director of AU Small Finance Bank (End of April)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Vivek Tripathi as Whole-time Director and Executive Director of AU Small Finance Bank.
The appointment is for a period of three years, effective from April 24, 2026.
Tripathi has been associated with AU Small Finance Bank since 2014 and currently serves as the Chief Credit Officer.
He has over two decades of experience in the financial services sector, having previously worked with ICICI Bank, Reliance Capital, and the Aditya Birla Group.
HDFC Bank and Visa launch FIFA World Cup 2026-themed Pixel credit card (Mid of April)▼
HDFC Bank and Visa have introduced a co-branded, limited‑edition FIFA World Cup 2026‑themed Pixel credit card.
The card is issued on the Visa network and is positioned as a digital‑first offering with instant issuance, app‑based access and customisation options.
It is available to both existing and new users of the bank’s Pixel Play platform.
The partnership also covers the bank’s debit, business and forex prepaid cards, allowing eligible customers to join a “spend and win” campaign.
Rewards under the campaign include FIFA World Cup 2026 match tickets, themed travel packages, merchandise and vouchers.
The launch was announced at an event in Mumbai attended by former England footballer Michael Owen.
Ashish Parthasarthy, group head for payments and related businesses at HDFC Bank, said the collaboration aims to combine digital payments with sports engagement for cardholders.
Rishi Chhabra, country manager for Visa India, said the initiative leverages Visa’s global association with FIFA to offer event‑linked experiences through everyday transactions.
Swiggy and HDFC Bank launch BLCK and Ornge co-branded credit cards with up to ₹48,000 annual savings. (Start of March)▼
Swiggy and HDFC Bank introduced Swiggy BLCK HDFC Bank Credit Card and Swiggy Ornge HDFC Bank Credit Card.
Both cards target food delivery, quick commerce, travel, and online shopping users.
Cardholders can earn up to ₹48,000 in annual savings through cashback and partner discounts.
The cards amplify 5% cashback earnings across various partner merchants alongside Swiggy cashback.
Rewards ecosystem covers over 30 online platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Cleartrip, and Nykaa.
Existing Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card holders launched in 2023 continue to receive cashback benefits.
Applications for the new cards will be accepted via the Swiggy app and HDFC Bank digital channels in a phased rollout.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of the Mumbai-based Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank due to inadequate capital and earning prospects.
The bank will cease banking business with effect from the close of business on May 12, 2026.
The RBI has directed the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra, to order the winding up of the bank and appoint a liquidator.
Depositors are entitled to receive insurance claims up to ₹5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
As of March 31, 2026, the DICGC has already paid ₹26.72 crore of the total insured deposits.
Similar Coverage
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Paytm Payments Bank (End of April)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank on April 24, 2026, under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The RBI cited that the bank's business was conducted in a manner harmful to depositors' interest and failed to comply with the conditions stipulated in its licence.
Paytm Payments Bank received a limited banking licence in 2015 and commenced operations in May 2017.
In March 2022, the RBI directed the bank to stop onboarding new customers.
The RBI barred the bank from accepting fresh deposits and credits after March 15, 2024, except for interest, refunds, cashbacks, and sweep-ins.
As of March 2025, the bank recorded total deposits of ₹13.95 billion and a loss of ₹946.4 million.
The RBI announced it would approach the High Court for the winding up of the bank.
The parent company of the bank is One 97 Communications.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Imposes Penalties on YES Bank and Hinduja Housing Finance Ltd (Mid of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹31.80 lakh on YES Bank.
The penalty on YES Bank was levied for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Know Your Customer (KYC) norms.
YES Bank failed to implement a system using the KYC Identifier assigned by the Central KYC Records Registry for establishing account-based relationships.
The RBI conducted a statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of YES Bank with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2025.
A separate penalty of ₹1.8 lakh was imposed on Hinduja Housing Finance Ltd for non-compliance with directions relating to governance.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank effective 6 April 2026. (Start of April)▼
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of The Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank due to inadequate capital and earning prospects.
The bank ceases all banking operations from the close of business on 6 April 2026.
The Commissioner for Cooperation, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has been requested to order winding up and appoint a liquidator.
Depositors will receive up to Rs 5 lakh per account from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
As per bank data, 99.7% of depositors are eligible to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC.
As on 31 January 2026, DICGC has already paid Rs 48.95 crore of total insured deposits based on depositors' willingness.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels 36 NBFCs’ Certificate of Registration and accepts surrender of 9 licences in February 2026. (Mid of March)▼
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of 36 NBFCs in February 2026.
Nine NBFCs surrendered their CoR to RBI during the same month.
Cancellation dates for the 36 NBFCs range from 16 February 2026 to 24 February 2026.
Among the cancelled NBFCs, Excellence Broking & Finance (P) Ltd. had its CoR issued on 1 November 2006 and cancelled on 16 February 2026.
Manglam Vanijya Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 19 August 2013 and the surrender was accepted on 11 February 2026.
KKR India Asset Finance Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 29 May 2024 and the surrender was accepted on 23 February 2026.
Premier Ferro Alloys & Securities Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 23 October 2003 and the surrender was accepted on 16 February 2026.
The Assam Cabinet approved the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill on May 13, 2026.
The Bill will be tabled in the Assam Assembly on May 26, 2026.
The UCC Bill focuses on civil matters including registration of marriages, divorce procedures, regulation of live-in relationships, and mandatory marriage registration.
Tribal communities and their traditional customs and rituals are completely exempted from the scope of the law.
The Bill has been designed along the lines of UCC models introduced in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Goa.
Similar Coverage
Cabinet Approves ECLGS 5.0, Railway Projects, and Sugarcane FRP Increase (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) issued new guidelines for states to shift the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) base year to 2022-23 to align with national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) revisions.
The Union Cabinet approved the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0 (ECLGS 5.0) to provide additional credit to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and airlines facing economic challenges.
The government increased the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane by ₹10 to ₹365 per quintal for the 2026-27 season, a move expected to benefit one crore farmers.
The Union Cabinet approved three new railway projects with an estimated cost of ₹23,437 crore to enhance infrastructure and connectivity across 19 districts in six states.
The timeline for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) was extended with an increased financial outlay of over ₹83,000 crore to support rural road development and connectivity.
Assam Government Approves 3% Reservation for Tea Tribes and Adivasis in Grade I and II Jobs (Mid of February)▼
The Assam government has approved a 3 per cent reservation for tea tribes and Adivasi people in Grade I and Grade II government jobs.
The reservation policy will extend to recruitment for the Assam Civil Service (ACS) and the Assam Police Service (APS).
The state government has already implemented a 3 per cent reservation for tea and Adivasi communities under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota in Grade III and IV jobs.
The Assam Cabinet approved ₹335 crore for the establishment of the state's second Sainik School at Langvoku in the Karbi Anglong district.
Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision during the 19th biennial general conference of the Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (ATTSA).
The initiative aims to integrate approximately 40 lakh people from the tea community into the mainstream of society.
Gujarat UCC report emphasises equal rights, women protection and cultural diversity (Mid of March)▼
The high-level committee on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for Gujarat submitted its final report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar.
The committee was headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
The report suggested a common legal framework for all religions and communities on marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.
The committee prepared the report after detailed study and district visits to collect public opinion.
Gujarat Assembly passes Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill (End of March)▼
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill by a majority vote, making Gujarat the second state in India after Uttarakhand to adopt such legislation.
The Bill seeks to regulate personal civil matters including marriage, divorce, succession, adoption, and live-in relationships for residents of the state.
The legislation was drafted based on a report submitted by a committee headed by former Supreme Court (SC) judge Ranjana Desai.
The Ranjana Desai committee studied the civil codes of France, Azerbaijan, Nepal, Germany, and Turkey and received over 20 lakh suggestions before drafting the Bill.
The Bill excludes members of all tribal communities falling within specific constitutional provisions from its jurisdiction.
Specific provisions include legal security for daughters in live-in relationships and the application of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for cases involving minors.
The Bill clarifies that customary traditions, such as cousin marriages, will be considered legal if they are an accepted tradition within a community.
Penal provisions have been included for individuals who enter into marriages by concealing their identity or through fraud.
India bans sugar exports until September 2026 to control local prices
Key Updates:
The Government of India banned the export of raw and white sugar with immediate effect until 30 September 2026, or until further orders.
The ban was implemented to rein in local sugar prices.
India is the world's second-largest sugar producer and the largest sugar exporter after Brazil.
Sugar production is expected to lag consumption for a second consecutive year due to weakening cane yields in major growing regions.
Forecasts of El Nino weather conditions could disrupt the monsoon, increasing the risk that next season's output falls below initial estimates.
Similar Coverage
Government of India raises gold and silver import duty to 15% from 6% to curb imports. (Mid of May)▼
The Government of India has raised the import duty on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, comprising a 10% basic customs duty and a 5% Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to avoid buying gold for a year, a rare public call highlighting government concern over pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
The India Bullion and Jewellers Association warned that the duty hike could affect demand as gold and silver prices were already elevated.
Inflows into India's gold exchange-traded funds surged 186% year-on-year in the March quarter to a record 20 metric tons, according to the World Gold Council.
April gold imports hit a near 30-year low due to a 3% integrated goods and services tax (IGST) levy, which had prompted banks to pause purchases for over a month.
All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) Reports 2.01 Lakh Tonnes Sugar Exports till February 2026 (Mid of February)▼
India exported 2,01,547 tonnes of sugar through February in the 2025-26 marketing year.
The central government approved a total export quota of 2 million tonnes for the 2025-26 marketing year, including a recent addition of 500,000 tonnes.
White sugar accounted for 163,000 tonnes of total shipments, while refined sugar made up 37,638 tonnes.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the top destination with 47,006 tonnes, followed by Afghanistan with 46,163 tonnes, Djibouti with 30,147 tonnes, and Bhutan with 20,017 tonnes.
India's sugar production is estimated to rise by 13 per cent to 29.6 million tonnes in the 2025-26 marketing year, excluding diversion for ethanol.
The All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) noted that the additional 500,000-tonne export allocation is on a pro-rata basis and cannot be swapped between mills.
Draft Sugarcane (Control) Order 2026: Regulatory Revamp and Ethanol Integration (End of April)▼
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution released the draft Sugarcane (Control) Order 2026 to replace the 1966 regulations.
The draft order recognizes ethanol as a core output of sugar mills and brings khandsari sugar under the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) regime.
For sugar units producing ethanol from sugarcane juice, syrup, and B-heavy molasses, 600 litres of bio-fuel will be counted as equivalent to one tonne of sugar.
The draft rules prohibit the establishment of new sugar factories within a 25-km radius of an existing unit, increasing the distance from the current 15 km.
Under the draft order, mills are required to pay for sugarcane within 14 days of delivery, with delayed payments attracting interest at 15% per annum.
The order integrates by-product valuation for bagasse, molasses, and press mud to align sugar policy with the national biofuel programme.
In the 2024-25 crop year, the total estimated sugarcane production was 43.5 million tonne (MT), with 13.5 MT used for manufacturing jaggery, juices, and khandsari.
Khandsari sugar is primarily manufactured by approximately 370 units located in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
Government of India (GoI) Resumes Wheat Exports with 5 Million Tonnes Allocation (Start of May)▼
The Government of India (GoI) has authorised the resumption of wheat exports after a four-year hiatus, lifting the ban originally imposed in 2022.
India, the world's second-largest wheat producer after China, has permitted traders to export a total of 5 million tonnes of wheat in two tranches of 2.5 million tonnes each.
ITC Limited (ITC) has commenced loading 22,000 metric tons of wheat at the Kandla port for shipment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The export deal for the shipment to the UAE was finalised at a price of approximately $275 per ton on a free on board basis.
Indian wheat is currently at least $20 per ton more expensive than supplies from Australia or the Black Sea region, which are priced between $290 and $300 per ton.
Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) to provide 1 Crore Internships
Key Updates:
The Central Government launched the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) to provide practical workplace experience to one crore young people over a period of five years.
The pilot phase of the PMIS commenced in 2024-25 with a target of offering 1.25 lakh internship opportunities across various sectors.
The internships under the PMIS are structured for a duration of 12 months, ensuring at least half of the period is dedicated to hands-on work experience.
Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000, which includes ₹4,500 from the government and ₹500 from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of the company.
The government will provide a one-time grant of ₹6,000 to each intern to support incidental expenses during the internship programme.
Similar Coverage
CM-INSPIRE: Financial assistance for UPSC aspirants (End of April)▼
The Meghalaya government launched the CM-INSPIRE initiative to provide financial assistance to candidates appearing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination.
Under the scheme, candidates who qualify for the UPSC Preliminary Examination will receive ₹50,000.
Candidates who qualify for the UPSC Mains examination will receive ₹1 lakh.
The Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute will serve as the nodal organisation for handling applications and verifying eligibility.
The initiative aims to enhance the attendance and pass rates of Meghalaya candidates in the competitive exams offered by the UPSC.
Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS): Eligibility expanded to final-year students (End of April)▼
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is piloting the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS).
Eligibility for the PMIS pilot phase has been expanded to include final-year students in graduate and postgraduate programmes.
Eligible students must be between 18-25 years of age to apply for paid internships in top companies through the PMIS portal.
Interns under the PMIS will receive a minimum financial assistance of ₹9,000 per month.
Applicants are required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective educational institutions.
The MCA formalised these changes in consultation with the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
The scheme supports the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) regarding experiential learning, student employability, and skill development.
The third round of the PMIS pilot phase is currently underway.
PM Internship Scheme eases norms, adds new-age sectors and higher stipend (End of March)▼
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has relaxed CSR obligation requirement for companies to join the PM Internship Scheme.
New-age sectors like semiconductors, renewable energy and global capability centres are now eligible under the scheme.
The monthly stipend has been raised to ₹9,000 from ₹5,000.
Minimum age for candidates lowered to 18 years and maximum age raised to 25 years.
Postgraduates and MBAs are now eligible to apply.
Internship duration revised to 6 and 9 months instead of one year.
Third phase targets about 100,000 internships with over 15,500 offers across 19 sectors and 32 states.
Allocation for current fiscal sharply cut to ₹526 crore in revised estimate from ₹10,831 crore budgeted earlier.
Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme 2026: West Bengal to provide ₹1,500 monthly allowance to unemployed youth (End of February)▼
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme 2026 during the state interim budget to support unemployed youth.
The scheme provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to educated but unemployed individuals to serve as transitional financial support during job hunting.
The official launch of the programme is scheduled for April 1, 2026, with applications accepted between February 15 and February 26, 2026.
Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of West Bengal, aged between 21 and 40 years, and have passed at least the Class 10 (Secondary) examination.
The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) will facilitate applications through local camps in every assembly constituency and the official website (wbsportsandyouth.gov.in).
Individuals receiving other state welfare financial assistance are ineligible, but scholarships like Aikyasree, Medhasree, Sikhasree, and the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Scholarship are compatible.
Required documents include a Class 10 pass certificate, Aadhaar or Voter ID, proof of residence, bank account details, and a recent passport-sized photograph.
IPC signs MoUs with State Pharmacy Councils to strengthen medicine safety framework
Key Updates:
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the State Pharmacy Councils of Bihar, Maharashtra, and Mizoram.
The agreements were signed at the IPC headquarters in Ghaziabad by IPC Secretary-cum-Scientific Director Dr. V. Kalaiselvan and representatives from the participating state councils.
The collaboration aims to promote the adoption of the National Formulary of India (NFI) and establish it as a mandatory reference document in hospital pharmacies across the participating states.
The partnership seeks to strengthen the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) by promoting adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting and facilitating the establishment of ADR Monitoring Centres (AMCs).
The MoUs include provisions for joint training programmes, workshops, and awareness campaigns to enhance professional competencies in rational medicine use and pharmacopoeial standards.
Similar Coverage
Boehringer Ingelheim India and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli sign MoU to advance pharmaceutical education and research (End of February)▼
Boehringer Ingelheim India Private Limited and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli signed an MoU on 22 Feb 2026 at the Department of Pharmaceuticals, New Delhi.
The MoU covers collaboration in pharmaceutical technologies, novel drug delivery systems, joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and capability-building programmes.
Boehringer Ingelheim will provide NIPER Raebareli access to its open science portal opnMe® to accelerate healthcare innovation.
The partnership will also explore symposia, conferences, short-term courses, and scholar engagement to strengthen scientific exchange.
Union Minister J P Nadda allocates ₹13,000 crore for Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission and three Chemical Parks. (Start of March)▼
Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Shri J P Nadda announced a Budgetary provision of ₹13,000 crore for the Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission and three dedicated Chemical Parks.
₹10,000 crore of the allocation is earmarked for the Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission over the next five years.
The global pharmaceutical market is expected to have 40% biologics by 2035, with patents worth $300 billion expiring by 2030.
Securing a 1% share of the global biosimilars market could create an annual opportunity of ₹2 lakh crore for India.
Plans include developing 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country to expand research and innovation capacity.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) will be strengthened to ensure faster regulatory approvals.
India’s chemical industry currently generates output worth ₹19.4 lakh crore and holds a 3% global share.
₹3,300 crore is allocated for developing three world-class chemical parks aimed at reducing costs by 20–40% through industrial symbiosis.
The roadmap targets raising India’s global chemical sector share to 5–6% by 2030 and achieving a $1 trillion turnover by 2040.
Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) targets India as global pharma innovation hub by 2026 (Start of April)▼
India Pharma 2026 will be held on 13-14 April at Federation House, New Delhi.
The 9th edition is organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
Theme of the event is 'Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation'.
Conference will focus on drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars.
FICCI, established in 1927, represents over 2.5 lakh companies across sectors.
Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi reappointed as Drugs Controller (India) at Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) (Start of March)▼
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his reappointment on a contractual basis for one year from 1 March 2026.
The proposal for re-employment was moved by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
He heads the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) which regulates drug quality, approves new drugs and oversees clinical trials.
Dr Raghuvanshi earlier served as secretary-cum-scientific director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) from 16 February 2021.
DigiLocker Integration: Five States Felicitated for Strengthening Digital Governance
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) felicitated Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Nagaland, and Rajasthan for integrating DigiLocker with state government services.
The recognition was conferred on May 11 during the National Consultative Workshop on Strengthening Cybersecurity Frameworks for State Data, an initiative led by the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
Gujarat onboarded 65 per cent of its services, benefiting over 1.92 crore citizens, and introduced digital disability certificates for free bus transport services.
Karnataka integrated 73 per cent of government e-services, recorded over 2.7 crore registered users, and digitised approximately 3 crore electricity bill records.
Kerala onboarded more than 117 services in less than seven days, while Nagaland integrated over 32 services within a month.
Rajasthan rolled out the Jan Aadhaar Family Register through DigiLocker, covering more than 7.5 crore citizens.
Similar Coverage
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) launches Blockchain India Challenge (End of February)▼
S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), launched the Blockchain India Challenge on 23 February 2026 at the MeitY headquarters in New Delhi.
The initiative is implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to encourage Indian startups to develop permissioned blockchain-based solutions for government use cases.
The challenge focuses on ten primary domains: e-procurement, supply chain management, public distribution systems, education, healthcare, agriculture, power, IoT-enabled governance, land records, and sustainability.
Startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will receive stage-wise financial support to develop ten impactful blockchain-based use cases.
The programme aims to integrate a cryptographic trust layer into India's existing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to ensure transparency, auditability, and tamper-proof record management.
The initiative specifically promotes permissioned blockchain architectures rather than public, permissionless systems to preserve regulatory oversight and sovereign control.
The launch followed the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi, where policymakers deliberated on sovereign compute and foundational models.
Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) for AI Governance Support (End of April)▼
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has constituted the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC).
The TPEC is an advisory body designed to provide specialised technical, policy, and strategic expertise to the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG).
The TPEC is chaired by the Secretary of MeitY.
The committee comprises experts from academic research, the technology industry, and digital policy.
The TPEC will provide expert inputs on policy design, regulatory measures, and India's engagements in AI governance across global forums.
The AIGEG is responsible for setting the strategic direction and coordinating policy across the government.
India hosts BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 14-15 May 2026
Key Updates:
The BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting is scheduled for 14th and 15th May 2026 in New Delhi.
The meeting is held under India's 2026 chairship and is chaired by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar.
The theme for India's BRICS 2026 chairship is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
The theme reflects a Humanity First and people-centric approach emphasised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
This is the fourth occasion on which India is hosting a BRICS summit-level engagement.
Similar Coverage
India to host 4th India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on 31 May 2026 (Mid of May)▼
The 4th India-Africa Forum Summit will be held in New Delhi from 28 to 31 May 2026, with senior officials meetings on 28 May, Foreign Ministers meeting on 29 May, and the leaders summit on 31 May.
Previous summits were held in 2008 (New Delhi), 2011 (Addis Ababa), and 2015 (New Delhi), with the third summit witnessing participation from all 54 African countries.
India has opened 17 new diplomatic missions in Africa since 2018, increasing its diplomatic presence to 46 nations across the continent.
India contributes nearly 5,000 peacekeepers to United Nations missions in African countries and has signed digital cooperation agreements with seven African nations.
39 African countries have joined the International Solar Alliance, and the summit will focus on cooperation in sectors including defence, trade, energy, space, and climate action.
Russia’s First Deputy PM Denis Manturov arrives in New Delhi for strategic India–Russia talks (Start of April)▼
Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for high-level consultations covering defence, energy, trade, and other critical areas of bilateral cooperation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted Manturov’s role as co-chair of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological & Cultural Cooperation.
Manturov will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the visit.
Key topics include defence and security collaboration, energy supply, and trade relations, with particular attention to the implications of the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Russia has recently resumed its position as India’s largest crude oil supplier following a month-long US sanction waiver.
Earlier consultations in New Delhi were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.
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.
India to host BRICS Agriculture Ministers' meeting in Indore from June 12 to 13 (Start of May)▼
The meeting of agriculture ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) will be held in Indore from June 12 to 13 under India's presidency.
A three-day meeting of officials under the BRICS agriculture working group will be conducted in Indore from June 9 to 11.
The gathering will deliberate on food security, farmer welfare, nutrition, climate-resilient smart agriculture, facilitation of international agricultural trade, supply chains, digital agriculture, research, knowledge exchange, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.
BRICS nations account for approximately 42 per cent of the world's agricultural land, 68 per cent of farmers, and 45 per cent of global grain production.
The Madhya Pradesh government has declared 2026 as Agriculture Welfare Year.
India hosts 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in New Delhi on 07-08 May 2026
Key Updates:
India hosted the 10th edition of the Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD-10) in New Delhi.
The IOD-10 was conducted over two days from 07 May to 08 May 2026.
The theme for the 10th edition of the dialogue was Indian Ocean Region in a Transforming World.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) served as the primary organiser of the event.
The MEA collaborated with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) to host the dialogue.
Similar Coverage
University of Delhi and Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC) MoU to strengthen maritime education and research (End of April)▼
University of Delhi (DU) and Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen maritime education and research.
The MoU was signed at the Delhi School of Economics to enhance capacity building, skill development, and interdisciplinary research aligned with India's Blue Economy vision.
The collaboration focuses on developing academic frameworks, joint research projects, training programmes, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The initiative aligns with government programmes including Sagarmala and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The partnership targets opportunities for students and researchers in maritime logistics, green shipping, and supply chain management.
India's seafaring workforce currently contributes about 12 per cent to the global maritime workforce, with a target to reach 20 per cent by 2030.
India possesses an 11,000-km coastline and 111 national waterways.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways facilitated the exchange of the MoU.
The Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and the Delhi School of Economics signed an additional MoU to promote joint programmes in public policy research and training.
India and Australia hold 10th Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi on May 8 (Mid of May)▼
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.
9th Indian Ocean Conference – 10 to 12 April 2026 (Mid of April)▼
The 9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026) was inaugurated in Port Louis, Mauritius and will run from 10 to 12 April 2026.
The conference is organised by India Foundation in association with the Government of Mauritius under the theme “Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.”
Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam was the Chief Guest at the inaugural session.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar delivered the keynote address.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi also addressed the session.
On 9 April, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met Mauritius Prime Minister Ramgoolam and President Dharambeer Gokhool, conveying greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A Letter of Exchange on a Special Economic Package was signed, reaffirming India’s commitment to Mauritius’ infrastructure development, health and security.
Eleven India-supported High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) were inaugurated across Mauritius covering sustainable development, energy, sports and infrastructure.
The iGOT Karmayogi portal, India’s flagship civil services capacity‑building platform, was launched exclusively for Mauritian civil servants – the first such launch for any partner country.
University Grants Commission of India (UGC) and the Higher Education Commission of Mauritius exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding.
A royalty cheque of USD 45,000 was handed over to Mauritius for the sale of nautical charts.
A Renal Transplant Unit was inaugurated at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Mauritius.
An AYUSH Centre of Excellence is slated for completion in Mauritius.
The final lot of e‑buses was handed over to support sustainable public transport in Mauritius.
An Indian public sector enterprise is developing Mauritius’ first floating solar power project.
India will soon appoint a Defence Attaché in Mauritius – the first Defence Attaché for the country.
A Government‑to‑Government agreement for the supply of oil and gas to Mauritius is in its final stages.
On the sidelines, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Seychelles Foreign Minister Barry Faure, former Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal.
The conference aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and the Global South commitment.
Goa hosts 4th edition of World Ocean Science Congress 2026 (End of February)▼
The 4th edition of World Ocean Science Congress 2026 is being held in Goa from February 23 to February 26 at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).
The event is co-organised by NIO, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and Goa University.
Goa has 193 km of coastline and thousands of families depend directly or indirectly on the ocean.
A pollution control vessel built in Goa for the Indian Coast Guard has been commissioned to enhance maritime safety, pollution response and surveillance.
The congress agenda includes ocean health, climate change, marine ecosystems, coastal hazard resilience and sustainable blue economy models.
Special sessions include a fishermen’s meet and student interaction programmes with around 600 high school students.
India and International Fund for Agricultural Development launch Country Strategic Opportunities Programme for 2026–2033
Key Updates:
The Government of India and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launched the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for 2026–2033.
The programme was unveiled at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and is aligned with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
The strategy focuses on enhancing the social, economic, and climate resilience of rural communities and strengthening knowledge systems to scale development models across India and the Global South.
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed a strategic partnership agreement with IFAD to strengthen rural finance systems and support innovation in agriculture and allied sectors.
India and IFAD have partnered for nearly five decades, during which 35 rural development projects have been implemented across multiple states.
Similar Coverage
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) outlines two-phased Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) roadmap for $30 trillion economy by 2047 (End of April)▼
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) has outlined a two-phased strategy for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to facilitate the transition toward a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
The strategy is detailed in a report titled 'DPI@2047: The Roadmap to Prosperity' from the NITI Frontier Tech Hub.
The roadmap sets an ambitious target for a per capita income of $18,000.
DPI 2.0 is scheduled to span from 2025 to 2035 and focuses on building a broad base of capable citizens.
DPI 3.0 is scheduled to span from 2035 to 2047 and aims to achieve prosperity through grassroots innovation and high-value local economic growth.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) noted that DPI 1.0 established digital identity for over 1.3 billion people through Aadhaar and drove transactions via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
The report identifies eight specific sectoral transformations to drive mass inclusion, targeting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, education, health, energy, and credit.
For MSMEs, the plan targets market expansion through digital intelligence and low-cost job fulfilment systems to connect them with local talent.
The agricultural initiative seeks to raise incomes for smallholder farmers by providing digital access to advisory services and market linkages.
The roadmap emphasises equitable access to learner-centric education in local languages and the strengthening of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to expand universal health coverage.
Systemic enablers introduced in the plan include decentralised energy markets for renewable power production and democratised credit access for microcredits.
Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): 125 Days Work Guarantee (Mid of May)▼
The Ministry of Rural Development announced the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from July 1, 2026.
VB–G RAM G increases the statutory rural employment guarantee from 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days per year for eligible rural households performing unskilled manual work.
The government has allocated ₹95,692.31 crore for the programme in FY27, with the total outlay including states' contributions expected to exceed ₹1.51 lakh crore.
Wages will be paid via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank or post office accounts on a weekly basis or within 15 days of muster roll closure.
The framework emphasises rural infrastructure creation, livelihoods, and village-level productivity, positioning Gram Panchayats at the centre of implementation.
ICAR Special Task Force to safeguard India's agricultural resilience amid global geopolitical uncertainties (Start of April)▼
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has constituted a high-level Special Task Force to counter emerging global challenges and safeguard India's agricultural sector.
The Task Force chaired by M L Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR, outlined a comprehensive framework for national food and input security.
It will intensify the 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' campaign, prioritising 100 aspirational districts to deliver complete packages of agricultural practices and build grassroots confidence.
Dedicated officers across divisions will track weekly progress and align actions under a unified plan.
A campaign for balanced fertiliser and bio-input use will be launched, with district-level assessments to rationalise consumption in wheat and rice.
Technological solutions like Direct Seeding of Rice will be scaled up under strengthened agrometeorology programmes with real-time advisories.
The Task Force will meet as situational exigencies demand and provide data-driven inputs to the government through institutional feedback mechanisms.
Uber and Adani Group Partner to Establish First Data Centre in India
Key Updates:
Uber has partnered with the Adani Group to establish its first data centre in India.
The data centre project is scheduled to be ready later this year to test and deploy Uber's technology.
Adani Enterprises, through its joint venture AdaniConneX, has partnered with Google to develop India's largest Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre campus and green energy infrastructure in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam involves an estimated investment of $15 billion over five years from 2026 to 2030.
The Visakhapatnam project includes gigawatt-scale data centre operations and subsea cable connectivity, developed in collaboration with AdaniConneX and Airtel.
Similar Coverage
Bharat Taxi: Cooperative-based ride-hailing platform with zero commission for drivers (End of April)▼
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi, India's first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, on February 5 in Delhi.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal launched the Bharat Taxi app in Mumbai to expand the initiative across Mumbai and Maharashtra.
The platform offers zero commission and no subscription fees for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to reduce dependence on foreign apps.
Drivers registered on the app receive free insurance cover of ₹5 lakh.
The app provides drivers access to Mudra loans to modernise or upgrade their vehicles, including shifting to electric vehicles.
The initiative aims to provide affordable and authorised fares to the public.
Google Cloud India AI Hub: $15 Billion Investment in Visakhapatnam (Start of May)▼
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Google Cloud India AI hub in Visakhapatnam on April 28, 2026.
The project is valued at over $15 billion.
The data centre is aimed to have an initial capacity of 1 GW, with the Andhra Pradesh government aiming to boost this to 6.5 gigawatts.
The hub will be established over 600 acres in the villages of Adavivaram, Rambilli, and Tarluvada.
The project is being developed as part of the 'Speed of Doing Business' policy of the Andhra Pradesh government.
L&T Vyoma inks MoU with Gujarat govt to explore 250 MW green AI-ready data centre at Dholera SIR (End of February)▼
Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Vyoma signed an MoU with the Gujarat Department of Science and Technology during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
The MoU envisages a 250 MW high-scale, green AI-ready data centre at Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR).
L&T Vyoma will invest ₹25,000 crore and aims to operationalise the facility by 2028.
The company will conduct a detailed feasibility assessment covering land suitability, infrastructure readiness, availability zones and sustainability parameters.
The Government of Gujarat will facilitate the project through its relevant departments.
The initiative aligns with the Gujarat IT/ITeS Policy (2022-27) and seeks to position Gujarat as a hub for AI infrastructure, cloud computing and advanced analytics.
Gujarat’s Budget has allocated over ₹850 crore for AI and digital governance initiatives.
L&T partners with NVIDIA to build gigawatt-scale AI data centre under IndiaAI Mission (Mid of February)▼
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and NVIDIA will jointly develop a gigawatt-scale artificial intelligence data centre in India as part of the government’s IndiaAI Mission.
The partnership will expand NVIDIA GPU cluster capacity to 30 megawatts at L&T’s 300-acre Chennai data centre campus, designed for future gigawatt-scale expansion.
A separate 40 megawatt data centre is under development in Mumbai to host additional AI infrastructure.
The infrastructure will integrate NVIDIA’s GPUs, CPUs, networking systems and enterprise platforms with L&T’s engineering and infrastructure capabilities.
Target sectors for AI workloads include manufacturing, energy, financial services, healthcare and public services.
Super El Niño Forecast for 2026 and its Potential Impact on India
Key Updates:
El Niño is a warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean and is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) weather pattern, which also includes La Niña.
A super El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures increase by at least 2 degrees Celsius above normal and is monitored using the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI).
The super El Niño of 1877-78 caused at least 50 million deaths globally, including 12.2 to 29.3 million in India, 19.5 to 30 million in China, and around 2 million in Brazil, alongside outbreaks of malaria, plague, dysentery, smallpox, and cholera.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) predicts that central equatorial Pacific Ocean water temperatures could potentially exceed 3 degrees Celsius above average in late 2026.
In India, below-normal rainfall may reduce harvests of rice, cotton, soyabeans, wheat, and rapeseed, impacting an agricultural sector that accounts for 18% of the nearly $4 trillion (Rs. ~3,32,00,000 crore) economy and a hydropower sector that provides 6% of the power mix.
Similar Coverage
March 2026 Arctic ice and global heat hit record lows amid rising El Niño odds (Mid of April)▼
Arctic sea ice extent in March 2026 fell 5.7% below normal, the lowest March level ever recorded.
Global surface temperatures for January-March 2026 ranked as the fourth-highest on record.
March 2026 became the fourth-warmest globally at 1.48°C above pre-industrial levels.
Sea surface temperatures (SST) reached 20.97°C, the second-highest ever observed behind the 2024 El Niño peak.
Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported daily SST levels approaching 2024 record highs.
US NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information stated March 2026 temperatures were 1.31°C above the 20th-century average, tying 2024 as the second-warmest March.
All ten warmest March records since 1850 have occurred after 2015.
Europe recorded its second-warmest March with notably drier conditions.
Significant heat anomalies occurred across the western United States, much of the Arctic, northeast Russia, and parts of Antarctica.
Cooler-than-average conditions persisted in Alaska, most of Canada, southern Greenland, and northwest Siberia.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts an 80% chance of ENSO-neutral conditions through April-June 2026.
The likelihood of El Niño rises to 61% between May-July 2026 and 85% into September 2026.
University of Reading study shows lethal moist heatwaves during southwest monsoon can be predicted weeks in advance (Start of March)▼
Moist heatwaves occur when high temperature combines with high humidity, preventing sweat evaporation and raising risk of fatal heatstroke within hours.
University of Reading (UoR) scientists analysed 1940-2023 weather data and found timings and locations of moist heatwaves align with active and break phases of the southwest monsoon (SWM).
During active SWM phase, northern plains and central India receiving rainfall face moist heatwave risk; during break phases the risk shifts to southern and eastern India.
The large-scale weather pattern governing these events is the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation, a 30-90 day pattern of storm movement between Indian and western Pacific Oceans from June to September.
Forecast lead time for moist heatwaves is two to four weeks, with heatwave occurrence over northern India rising 125% above normal during a specific phase of this pattern.
Globally accepted human survivability wet bulb temperature limit is 35°C, but November 2023 Nature Communications paper revised limits to 25.8-34.1°C for younger adults and 21.9-33.7°C for older adults.
Between 1940 and 2023 there were 188 monsoon break periods and 261 active phases, with breaks influenced by dry desert winds from the west.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports 65-year peak in Earth energy imbalance (End of March)▼
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of the Climate 2025 report, revealing that Earth’s energy imbalance has reached its highest level in at least 65 years.
Approximately 91 per cent of excess energy is absorbed by the oceans, while 5 per cent warms the land, 3 per cent melts ice, and 1 per cent heats the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide levels in 2024 reached a 2-million-year high, while methane and nitrous oxide concentrations are at their highest in 800,000 years.
Global sea levels by the end of 2025 were 11 centimetres higher than in 1993, with the rate of rise increasing from 2.65 mm per year (1993-2011) to 4.75 mm per year (2012-2025).
The global mean temperature in 2025 was approximately 1.43°C above the pre-industrial baseline of 1850-1900, while 2024 remains the warmest on record at 1.55°C above the baseline.
Ocean surface pH levels have declined to their lowest in at least 26,000 years, with significant acidification observed in the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Around 1.2 billion people, representing more than one-third of the global workforce, are exposed to extreme heat annually, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors.
The report indicates that rising emissions threaten United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 14, and SDG 15.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh launches two AI-enabled weather forecast systems under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
Key Updates:
Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched two AI-enabled weather forecast products under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): a monsoon advance forecasting system and a high spatial resolution rainfall forecast for Uttar Pradesh (UP), both as a pilot service.
The monsoon advance forecasting system provides probabilistic forecasts of monsoon progression every Wednesday up to four weeks in advance.
The high spatial resolution rainfall forecast for Uttar Pradesh (UP) generates rainfall forecasts at one-kilometre spatial resolution up to 10 days in advance using AI-driven downscaling techniques.
The new systems integrate data from automatic weather stations, Doppler weather radars, and satellite-based rainfall datasets, combining AI models, extended range prediction, and statistical techniques.
The forecasts will be disseminated through multiple modes including mobile phones, radio, television, print media, and displays at vegetable markets, with Krishi Sakhi and Pashu Sakhi groups communicating at block and panchayat levels.
Similar Coverage
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar launches India's first fully integrated agricultural intelligence system (End of April)▼
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has launched India’s first fully integrated agricultural intelligence system.
The system was developed by the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in AI for Agriculture, ANNAM.AI.
The intelligence ecosystem comprises advanced weather stations called Swan, Krishi intelligence call centres, and the Annam chat engine (ACE).
The platform integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), climate science, and multilingual advisory systems.
The AI architecture consists of three layers: the infrastructure layer (micro-climate intelligence units), the intelligence layer (Krishi AI), and the engagement layer (ACE).
The CoE at IIT Ropar was established under a ₹990-crore national initiative to create three AI Centres of Excellence.
The system is currently operating in Punjab and is designed to reduce water usage by 20–30 per cent and prevent 9–12 per cent of crop losses caused by sudden weather events.
The ecosystem includes an offline AI capability that allows farmers to access insights without internet connectivity.
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.
BEL AI Policy and CoE-AI launched to boost indigenous defence innovation (Mid of February)▼
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and formally launched BEL’s AI Policy.
BEL was commended for progress in electronic warfare systems, avionics, naval platforms, electro-optics, and tank electronics.
Indigenous air defence and anti-drone systems developed by BEL were utilised during Operation Sindoor.
The minister urged BEL, other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry partners to advance AI and quantum computing for real-time decision-making, autonomous systems, cyber defence, and precision operations.
GalaxEye's Mission Drishti to carry NVIDIA Jetson Orin for AI-driven Earth observation (End of February)▼
GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based private space technology company, will deploy NVIDIA Jetson Orin on its upcoming satellite mission, Mission Drishti.
Mission Drishti will feature the world’s first SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, integrating Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on a single satellite platform.
The satellite is designed to accelerate processing and interpretation of Earth observation data in space and quickly deliver insights to customers.
Insights from Mission Drishti are expected to benefit sectors including agriculture, disaster management, and natural resource management.
The mission will explore the feasibility of Orbital Data Centres (ODC), where multiple satellites operate as interconnected compute nodes.
GalaxEye plans to scale Mission Drishti to a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates India’s First Integrated CCUS Field Laboratory at IIT Bombay
Key Updates:
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated India’s first Integrated Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Field Laboratory Facility under Bharat Innovates 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) on 12th May 2026.
The facility is the first pilot-scale platform in India to integrate Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) with Geological CO2 Sequestration (GCS) specifically in basalt formations.
The project includes India’s first pilot-scale scientific drilling initiative to assess CO2 storage potential in the Deccan Traps and serves as a national testbed for scalable carbon management technologies.
The indigenous technology uses non-potable water to capture emissions from the air and industries, converting them into industrial-grade carbonate and bicarbonate salts.
The CCUS technology is being scaled up by UrjanovaC, a deep-tech venture founded by Prof. Vikram Vishal and Prof. Arnab Dutta and incubated at the Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay.
Similar Coverage
DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat inaugurates CBRN training centre in Delhi (Start of May)▼
Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (R&D) and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), inaugurated a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) field training and demonstration centre.
The facility was established at the Burari plains in Delhi on May 6, 2026, to strengthen preparedness for radiological and nuclear emergencies.
Developed as a DRDO CBRN Centre of Excellence, the site features a dedicated radiological and nuclear test bed, a heavy ion research facility, and units for emergency medical response.
The centre operates under the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) and will provide training to personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The event was attended by Director General (DG) Soldier Support System Dr Upendra Kumar Singh, DG Production Coordination and Services Interaction Dr Chandrika Kaushik, and DG Resource and Management Dr Ravindra Singh.
Andhra Pradesh unveils India’s first open-access quantum computer test beds at Amaravati Quantum Valley (Mid of April)▼
Andhra Pradesh launched two open-access quantum computer test beds under the Amaravati Quantum Valley project.
The 1Q test bed is located at Medha Towers and the 1S test bed at SRM University, Amaravati.
Both systems use entirely locally developed components and operate at about minus 273°C.
Technical support was provided by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The 1Q test bed was set up by Qubitech and Qbit Force; the 1S test bed uses superconducting technology.
Delhi-based QUTE Electronics developed the ultra-low noise power supply systems with six decimal point stability.
The mission aims to create 100 quantum algorithms within the next two years.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will unveil the facilities on April 14, World Quantum Day.
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.
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 Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) in collaboration with the Satcom Industry Association India (SIA-India).
The Centre was inaugurated by Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge.
The CoE SpaceTech Foundation has been established under a Memorandum of Agreement between KITS and SIA-India to drive research and innovation in space technologies.
The Centre has formalised strategic MoUs with multiple industry and academic partners to support research in space biotech and microgravity, enable collaboration, build talent pipelines, and provide startups with training and market access.
Faustino Oro achieves second youngest Grandmaster title in Italy
Key Updates:
Faustino Oro from Argentina became the second youngest Grandmaster in chess history at the age of 12 years, 6 months, and 26 days.
He secured his third and final Grandmaster (GM) norm during the Sardinia World Chess Festival conducted in Italy.
Oro is the seventh player to earn the GM title before turning 13, alongside Abhimanyu Mishra, Sergey Karjakin, D Gukesh, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Javokhir Sindarov, and R Praggnanandhaa.
The record for the youngest Grandmaster is held by Abhimanyu Mishra of the United States, who achieved the feat at 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days.
Faustino Oro is the first player under the age of 12 in the history of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to be rated 2500-plus.
Similar Coverage
Tomas Martin Etcheverry clinches maiden ATP title at Rio Open (End of February)▼
Tomas Martin Etcheverry defeated Alejandro Tabilo 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 to win his first ATP Tour title at the Rio Open.
The Rio Open is an ATP 500 event held in Rio de Janeiro.
Etcheverry rose 18 places to No. 33 in the ATP Live Rankings after the victory.
Brazilian pair Joao Fonseca and Felipe Melo won the men’s doubles title, defeating Constantin Frantzen and Robin Haase 4-6, 6-3, 10-8.
Aronyak Ghosh becomes India's 95th Grandmaster (End of April)▼
Aronyak Ghosh from Kolkata became the 95th Grandmaster (GM) of India.
He achieved his final GM norm at the Bangkok Chess Club Open, finishing tied for first place with a score of 7/9.
Ghosh won the rapid section of the Nationals at Ranchi with a score of 9.5/11.
He secured his first GM norm in August 2022 at the 23rd Sants International Open in Spain.
He achieved his second GM norm at the Annemasse Masters.
He won bronze medals at the U16s, World Youth, and Pune Nationals.
Ghosh is an employee of the Eastern Railway.
His career-high Elo rating is 2555.
He crossed the 2500 rating mark at the Athens of East meet in Madurai.
Kimi Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix to become youngest F1 championship leader (Start of April)▼
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 29 March 2026.
Antonelli became the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the world championship standings at 19 years old.
Oscar Piastri of McLaren finished second and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari third.
George Russell of Mercedes, who started the day leading the championship, finished fourth.
Lando Norris of McLaren was fifth, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari sixth, Pierre Gasly of Alpine seventh, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull eighth.
The next race is the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May 2026 after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled due to war in the Middle East.
Kimi Antonelli wins maiden Formula One Chinese Grand Prix (Mid of March)▼
Kimi Antonelli claimed his first Formula One victory in the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit.
Mercedes secured a one-two finish with George Russell second, 5.515 seconds behind Antonelli.
Lewis Hamilton finished third, marking his first podium for Ferrari.
Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history before converting it into victory.
Both McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to start the race due to car problems.
Max Verstappen retired on lap 46, continuing Red Bull’s poor start to the season.
Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari, followed by Oliver Bearman fifth for Haas.
International Day of Families observed on May 15 with theme "Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing"
Key Updates:
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".
The event will be held at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York.
The observance aims to promote investments in integrated family-oriented policies and highlight practices including universal child benefits, parental leave systems, affordable early childhood education, and community-based family support services.
The event will examine issues relating to the Doha Political Declaration of the Second World Summit for Social Development.
Similar Coverage
Mother's Day observed on May 10, 2026 (Start of May)▼
Mother's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The modern version of Mother's Day in the United States (US) traces back to the early 20th century through the efforts of activist Anna Jarvis.
President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, a legal national holiday, in 1914.
Alabama's U.S. Representative J. Thomas Heflin introduced a joint resolution in Congress seeking a nationwide Mother's Day.
Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas helped move the proposal for a nationwide Mother's Day forward.
International Day for Street Children – April 12 (Mid of April)▼
International Day for Street Children is observed annually on April 12.
The day was launched in 2012.
It was launched by Consortium for Street Children (CSC), a global alliance of more than 100 NGOs, researchers, activists and other stakeholders in 135 countries.
There are about 150 million street‑connected children in the world.
Main causes of children ending up on the streets include extreme poverty, political unrest and military conflict, domestic violence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, mental health problems, substance abuse and cultural factors.
The day aims to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children who depend on the streets for their survival and deserve care, protection and respect.
It also recognises the hard work and dedication of people who work with street children to improve their lives.
Ways to get involved include attending seminars, webinars or fundraisers, donating to or volunteering with organisations that help street children, petitioning governments to protect them, and spreading the word on social media using the hashtag #StreetChildrenDay.
International Day of the Midwife observed on May 5, 2026 (Start of May)▼
International Day of the Midwife is observed on May 5, 2026.
Midwives provide essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services worldwide.
Midwives support women and gender-diverse people before, during, and after birth.
The observance involves the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), its partners, allies, and more than 135 midwives’ associations.
The participating midwives' associations span across more than 115 countries.
National Safe Motherhood Day 2026: Focus on maternal health advocacy and safe pregnancies (Mid of April)▼
National Safe Motherhood Day is observed annually on 11 April in India.
The day was first established in 2003 by the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI).
The date honours Kasturba Gandhi's birth anniversary.
The 2026 observance highlights the need for improved maternal care in underserved rural regions.
The day advocates collective action to prioritise maternal health and prevent preventable deaths.
International Nurses Day observed on May 12 with theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”
Key Updates:
International Nurses Day is observed worldwide on May 12 annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.
The theme for International Nurses Day 2026 is “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) first began observing the occasion in 1965 and officially established the day in 1974.
The day was first suggested by Dorothy Sutherland, an employee of the US Department of Health, in 1953.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated a global nurse deficit of 5.8 million in 2025.
Similar Coverage
World Hand Hygiene Day 2026 observed on May 5 with theme 'Hand Hygiene: one action that saves lives'. (Start of May)▼
World Hand Hygiene Day 2026 was observed on May 5, 2026.
The theme for World Hand Hygiene Day 2026 is 'Hand Hygiene: one action that saves lives'.
Dr Jarbas Barbosa stated that hand hygiene is an action that saves lives.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) contribute to the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
A webinar for World Hand Hygiene Day 2026 was held on May 5, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. EST.
Lalenthangi Hnamte Awarded National Florence Nightingale Nurses Award (Mid of May)▼
President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Nurses Award to Lalenthangi Hnamte, also known as Maeni, in New Delhi.
The award ceremony was held on International Nurses Day to recognise exceptional contributions to the nursing profession.
Lalenthangi Hnamte serves as a health worker at the Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) located in the Lunglei district of Mizoram.
She was honoured for her significant role and dedication in delivering healthcare services at the grassroots level.
Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh highlighted the achievement as an inspiration for healthcare workers across the country.
National Administrative Professional Day observed on April 22, 2026 (End of April)▼
National Administrative Professional Day was observed on April 22, 2026.
The Blood Tribe Administration (BTA) recognised the contributions of support staff, including Administrative Assistants, Office Managers, and Receptionists.
The event took place at the Shot Both Sides Building in Standoff, Alberta.
International Labour Day observed globally on May 1, 2026 (Start of May)▼
International Labour Day (also known as May Day) is observed globally on May 1, 2026.
Labour Day originated in the United States in the 1880s as a protest for an eight-hour workday.
The United States does not observe May 1 as a public holiday for Labour Day.
The European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, called for solidarity and protection of workers' rights.
The International Trade Union Confederation reported that at least four CEOs of major corporations each earned over $100 million in pay and bonuses last year.
V D Satheesan Appointed Chief Minister of Kerala
Key Updates:
V D Satheesan was appointed as the Chief Minister of Kerala on 14 May 2026.
The 61-year-old appointee previously served as the Leader of the Opposition.
The selection was made by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) following a three-way contest involving K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.
The appointment was announced by AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunsi.
Satheesan received support from the United Democratic Front (UDF) allies, including the Muslim League which has 22 MLAs.
Similar Coverage
C. Joseph Vijay took oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (Mid of May)▼
C. Joseph Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly election with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly.
The government was formed through a coalition of TVK, Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), and the Indian Union Muslim League Legislature Party (IUML).
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy.
The approved cabinet ministers are N. Anand, Aadhav, Arjuna, Dr. K.G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, Dr. TK. Prabhu, and S. Keerthana.
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani Appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) (Start of May)▼
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd) was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs.
He will assume charge after the current CDS, General Anil Chauhan, completes his tenure on May 30, 2026.
He has served as the Military Adviser in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) since September 2025.
He previously served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff from July 2024 to July 2025 and as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Command from March 2023 to June 2024.
He commanded 16 Garhwal Rifles in Assam under Operation Rhino, 168 Infantry Brigade in Jammu & Kashmir, 17 Mountain Division in the Central Sector, and 2 Corps on the Western Front.
His staff and instructional appointments include Brigade Major of a Mountain Brigade, Defence Attaché in Kazakhstan, Colonel General Staff (Operations) at Eastern Command, Deputy Director General of Military Intelligence, Chief Instructor (Army) at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and Chief of Staff of Northern Command.
He has been decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Sena Medal (SM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
N Rangasamy sworn-in as Chief Minister of Puducherry (Mid of May)▼
N Rangasamy, leader of the All India NR Congress (AINRC), took oath as the Chief Minister of Puducherry for a fifth term on May 13.
Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Rangasamy at Lok Nivas.
The AINRC-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 18 seats in the 30-member Puducherry Legislative Assembly, consisting of 12 seats for AINRC, 4 for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 1 for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and 1 for the Lakshiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK).
A Namassivayam of the BJP took oath as a Cabinet minister in the Puducherry government.
Rangasamy won the Thattanchavady constituency and is Puducherry's longest-serving Chief Minister, with previous tenures from 2001 to 2008 and 2011 to 2016.
Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala as Keralam (End of February)▼
The Union Cabinet approved the renaming of Kerala as Keralam on 25 February 2026.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed unanimous resolutions in 2023 and 2024 urging the change.
Both resolutions were moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The 2024 resolution noted the state is called Keralam in Malayalam while listed as Kerala in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
The renaming requires a Constitutional amendment under Article 3.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) examines such proposals and obtains No Objection Certificates from agencies including the Ministry of Railways, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Survey of India, and Registrar General of India.
The proposal is introduced as a Bill in Parliament and takes effect after passage and notification.
Yoweri Museveni Sworn in as President of Uganda
Key Updates:
Yoweri Museveni was sworn in for a seventh term as the President of Uganda on 12 May 2026.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
According to the Electoral Commission, Museveni won 71.65 per cent of the vote.
Museveni has served as leader for 40 years since taking office in 1986.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, received 24.72 per cent of the vote.
Similar Coverage
Ismail Omar Guelleh wins sixth term as President of Djibouti. (Mid of April)▼
Ismail Omar Guelleh secured 97.8% of the vote in the presidential election.
His sole challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, received 2.19% of the vote.
The election was boycotted by most opposition parties, including the main opposition led by Dahir Ahmed Farah.
Guelleh has been in power for 27 years and becomes only the second president since Djibouti's independence from France in 1977.
The constitution was amended in November to remove the upper age limit of 75, allowing the 78-year-old to contest.
Officials reported over 80% voter turnout among registered voters.
The results were released by the interior ministry and await validation by the constitutional council before swearing-in for a five-year term.
Narendra Modi becomes India’s longest-serving head of elected government (End of March)▼
Narendra Modi became the longest-serving head of an elected government in India by completing 8,931 days in office.
He surpassed the record of 8,930 days previously held by Pawan Kumar Chamling, the former Chief Minister (CM) of Sikkim.
His total leadership period includes serving as the CM of Gujarat from 7 October 2001 to May 2014 and as the Prime Minister (PM) of India since 26 May 2014.
He is the first Indian PM born after Independence and the first non-Congress PM to complete two full terms and return for a third.
He holds the record for being the longest-serving CM of Gujarat and the PM with the most prior experience as a CM.
He has secured three consecutive victories in the general elections held in 2014, 2019, and 2024.
He became the first serving world leader to reach 100 million followers on Instagram and has over 30 million subscribers on YouTube and 106 million followers on X.