The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) released the Third Advance Estimates, projecting India’s total foodgrain production to rise by 5% to a record 376.56 million tonnes in the 2025-26 crop year. Union…
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare projects horticulture production at 3,777.76 lakh tonne
Key Updates:
- The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW) projects India's horticulture production to reach 3,777.76 lakh tonne in 2025-26, marking a 1.9 per cent increase over the previous year.
- The area under horticulture cultivation is estimated to rise to 301.51 lakh hectares in 2025-26, compared to 301.36 lakh hectares in 2024-25.
- Fruit production is projected to rise by 3.25 per cent to 1,214.75 lakh tonne, driven by increased output of banana, mango, papaya, apple and guava.
- Vegetable production is estimated at 2,210 lakh tonne, with higher output anticipated for potato (598.89 lakh tonne), tomato (214.61 lakh tonne), okra, peas, cauliflower and bottle gourd, while onion production is projected at 307.37 lakh tonne.
- Spices production is projected to reach 126.55 lakh tonne, with higher output expected for garlic, turmeric, curry leaf and fenugreek.
- Flower production is projected to increase by approximately 7.5 per cent to 45.84 lakh tonne, while aromatic and medicinal plants production is estimated at 9.76 lakh tonne and plantation crops at 169.34 lakh tonne.
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World Ocean Assessment released on 8 June 2026 (Start of June)
The latest World Ocean Assessment was released on Monday, 8 June 2026. The next round of global plastics treaty negotiations is scheduled from 13 to 24 March 2027.
Mission for Cotton Productivity: ₹5,659.22 Crore Outlay (Start of May)
The Union Cabinet approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore. The mission aligns with the '5F vision' (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to…
The International Day of Plant Health is observed on 12 May 2026 at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome. The theme for the 2026 observance is Plant Biosecurity for Food…
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Redevelopment of 450 Railway Stations
Key Updates:
- Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated a 20-kW FM transmitter at Ramgarh in Rajasthan.
- The transmitter is part of a government initiative to provide comprehensive communication coverage across the border belt of the country, stretching from Kashmir to Rajasthan.
- The railway budget for border regions has increased 15-fold since 2014 compared to the ₹682 crore allocated under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
- Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, work is approaching completion at nearly 200 of the 450 identified railway stations.
- The station redevelopment programme focuses on stations of all sizes, including Jaipur Junction, Jaipur Gandhinagar, Jaisalmer, Alwar, Kota, and Ajmer.
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Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s seventh Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Jammu on June 5, 2026. The RMC Jammu will provide specialised weather…
Jitendra Singh announces Doppler weather radar and seismological observatory for Jammu and Kashmir (Mid of April)
Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the establishment of a Doppler weather radar in Doda and a permanent seismological observatory in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. The Doppler weather radar will strengthen weather…
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ashwwa Vaishnaw unveiled three inter-linked measures to boost India’s media and creative economy. National AI Skilling initiative, implemented by Indian Institute of…
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: Introduction of India's First Advanced Tunnel Hood Technology
Key Updates:
- The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has deployed advanced tunnel hood technology for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project.
- This is the first instance in India where tunnel hood technology is being introduced in the construction of railway tunnels.
- The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route includes seven mountain tunnels in Maharashtra and one in Gujarat.
- Tunnel hoods are designed to gradually release compressed air and pressure waves through engineered openings to reduce noise and pressure fluctuations.
- This technology is used in global high-speed rail systems such as Japan's Shinkansen, China's CRH, France's TGV, and the UK's HS2 for trains exceeding 300 kmph.
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Zojila Tunnel Breakthrough Achieved on June 9, 2026 (Start of June)
The Zojila tunnel will be India's longest road tunnel and is expected to be Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel with a total length of 14.15 kilometres. Located at an elevation of 11,578 feet, the tunnel connects…
The proposed bullet train corridor connects Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The total length of the corridor is 508 km.
Indian Railways (IR) has sanctioned ₹238 crore for safety upgrade works on the Jammu-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra section of Northern Railway (NR). The project includes slope stabilisation measures, tunnel seepage…
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved three multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹23,437 crore to expand the national rail network by 901 kilometres. Managed by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), the…
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): ₹31.21 Crore Integrated Aqua Park
Key Updates:
- Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Chief Minister of Bihar Samrat Choudhary will lay the foundation stone of the Integrated Aqua Park at Bhojpur and inaugurate the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Regional Centre at Patna on 15 June 2026.
- The Integrated Aqua Park at Vanasaur Fish Seed Farm, Bhojpur, is approved at a total cost of ₹31.21 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
- The Aqua Park will include carp and catfish hatcheries, brooder incubation units, biofloc systems, Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) units, a fish feed mill, water quality and disease diagnostic laboratories, quarantine facilities, and a 50-bed training hostel.
- Bihar's inland water resources consist of 1.22 lakh ha of tanks and ponds, 0.64 lakh ha of reservoirs, 9.5 lakh ha of floodplain lakes (chaurs) and derelict waters, and over 21,354 km of rivers and canals.
- Principal fish species cultured in Bihar include Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Grass Carp, Common Carp, Silver Carp, Pabda, Tilapia, Pangasius, Magur (catfish), Scampi, and ornamental fish.
- The Government of India has approved projects worth ₹902.84 crore for Bihar over the last 11 years, including ₹579.72 crore under PMMSY.
- Bihar has risen from 9th to 4th position among inland fish-producing States and supplies approximately 89,600 MT of fish annually to neighbouring States.
- A Wetland Fisheries Cluster covering 9.5 lakh ha of floodplain lakes and derelict water bodies has been notified in Bihar to promote community-based fisheries management.
- The Government of India is promoting integrated development through PMMSY, Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
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Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA) Launched with ₹33,660 Crore Outlay for 100 Industrial Parks (Start of June)
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launched the BHAVYA Portal in New Delhi to operationalise the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA). The Union Cabinet approved BHAVYA with an outlay of ₹33,660 crore…
The Namami Gange Programme (NGP) was launched in June 2014 by the Government of India to conserve and rejuvenate the Ganga River. The initial allocation was Rs 20,000 crore and later extended to Rs 22,500 crore until…
Odisha becomes first state to implement Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for integrated coastal management (Mid of April)
Odisha is the first state in India to implement the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in the second phase. The Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR)…
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced sanction of a ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park Project to be established in Anantnag district of Jammu and…
Drone-Based Mail Transmission Service launched in Himachal Pradesh
Key Updates:
- The Department of Posts launched the Drone-Based Mail Transmission Service in Himachal Pradesh to modernise postal operations in remote and mountainous regions.
- The initiative was announced by the Union Minister of Communications (MoC) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
- The first operational route connects the Mandi Head Post Office with the Rehardhar Branch Post Office, reducing delivery time from over two hours to seven minutes.
- The MoC has identified approximately 150 routes for the wider rollout of drone-based postal services.
- The drone-based network offers advantages including faster deliveries, improved connectivity, real-time monitoring, and environment-friendly transport.
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24 Speed Post Service Launched for Next-Day Delivery (Mid of March)
The Department of Posts (DoP) will launch the ‘24 Speed Post’ service on March 17, 2026, to provide guaranteed next-day delivery for consignments. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Minister of…
Namo Drone Didi Yojana targets 15,000 drones for women SHGs with 80% subsidy up to ₹8 lakh (Start of April)
Karnataka leads in training women Self-Help Groups as drone pilots under the Namo Drone Didi Yojana. The central sector scheme aims to distribute 15,000 drones to women SHGs during 2024–25 and 2025–26.
Secretary (Posts), Ministry of Communications, Government of India and Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Government of Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Postal Cooperation on…
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) Completes India's First Intra-City Drone Delivery Trials in Bengaluru (End of April)
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) completed India's first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). The trials were conducted…
India conducts maiden test flight of first Made-in-India Airbus C295 in Vadodara on 10 June 2026
Key Updates:
- The first Made-in-India Airbus C295 military transport aircraft successfully completed its maiden test flight from the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Vadodara, Gujarat.
- The aircraft is being produced through a partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- This project involves the manufacturing of 40 C295 aircraft in India, marking the first instance of a military aircraft being produced in the country by the private sector.
- The C295 transport plane is expected to replace the existing An-32 transport aircraft within the IAF fleet.
- The aircraft features a payload capacity of up to 9,000 kg and can accommodate 24 stretchers or a number of paratroopers comparable to the An-32.
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Gp Capt. K.K. Venugopal has become the first Indian test pilot to be elected as a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP). Gp Capt. Venugopal is the Executive Director and Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing)…
India-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace to manufacture Kaal Bhairava combat aircraft in Portugal (Mid of May)
Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA), an Indian artificial intelligence warfare company, announced the establishment of its first international manufacturing node in Portugal for the Kaal Bhairava autonomous combat…
India's first privately built military aircraft C-295 set for rollout in Gujarat on 14 May 2026 (Mid of May)
Tata-Airbus has advanced the first Made-in-India C-295 military transport aircraft at Vadodara, Gujarat. The C-295 is the first military aircraft in India to be built privately.
India hosts India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0 in GIFT City on 08 May 2026 (Mid of May)
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0 on 08 May 2026 at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. The summit was jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the…
India and France launch India-France ATL Bridge on 14 June 2026 to connect school innovation labs
Key Updates:
- India and France launched the India-France ATL Bridge to strengthen bilateral innovation cooperation by connecting young innovators through school-level innovation labs.
- The initiative was formalised through a Letter of Intent (LoI) exchanged between the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog and La Fondation Dassault Systèmes.
- The launch took place during Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, France, as part of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026.
- Under the initiative, the first School Innovation Lab in France will be established based on the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) framework.
- Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016, the AIM has established over 10,000 ATLs across India, benefiting more than 11 million students.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026, a three-day global deep tech showcase and accelerator initiative organised by India's education ministry in Nice. The…
NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission launch ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana (Start of April)
NITI Aayog and the Atal Innovation Mission launched the ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana. The initiative will provide structured mentorship and institutional support to 379 Atal Tinkering Labs in the…
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) Establishes Deep-Tech Centre in California (Start of May)
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) Global Research Foundation established its first centre in the United States at Menlo Park, California, on April 24. The centre will be developed with a total…
India hosts BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9 to 15 March 2026 (Mid of March)
India hosted the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9 to 15 March 2026. The programme brought together 30…
France to host 52nd G7 Summit in Evian
Key Updates:
- The 52nd Group of Seven (G7) Summit will be held in the resort town of Evian under the French presidency.
- The summit's key focus areas include geopolitical crises, economic cooperation, artificial intelligence (AI), and developmental partnerships.
- The outreach session on Tackling the Global Imbalances will involve invited countries: India, Kenya, South Korea, and Brazil.
- The summit will address international crises including the conflict in Ukraine and tensions in West Asia involving Iran, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Prime Minister Modi's attendance marks India's 13th participation as a partner country and his seventh consecutive appearance at the forum.
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United States President Donald Trump to attend G7 Summit in France from 15 June to 17 June (Start of June)
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit is scheduled to take place from 15 June to 17 June in Évian-les-Bains, France. United States (US) President Donald Trump confirmed his attendance at the summit following the…
The upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Summit will feature a dedicated meeting on West Asia to address regional volatility and maritime security. Future defence agreements between India and France will be integrated with the…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18, attending the G7 Summit and the VivaTech technology event in Paris. In Nice, France, PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron will jointly…
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired an international conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on April 17, 2026. The summit focused on the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of…
India and France announce 13 key outcomes to deepen strategic, tech and trade cooperation on 14 June 2026
Key Updates:
- Adoption of India–France Innovation Roadmap 2030 to guide cooperation in technology, innovation, research and education.
- Creation of a Joint India–France AI Working Group focused on AI governance and responsible artificial intelligence.
- MoU to set up a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Allied Sectors at NSTI, Kanpur.
- Expansion of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) usage in France to strengthen digital payments cooperation.
- Incubation of 10 additional Indian startups at Station F, France’s leading startup campus.
- Establishment of a Centre of Digital Sciences between India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and France’s INRIA.
- Establishment of an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) India Chair on AI, Innovation and Culture at Université Paris-Saclay.
- Letter of Intent between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and France’s Health Data Hub on cooperation in digital health research.
- Agreement to set up a High-level Mechanism to double bilateral trade over the next five years.
- Institution of an Economic Security Dialogue to enhance cooperation in supply chains and critical sectors.
- Declaration of Intent on railway and high-speed rail development in India.
- General Security Agreement on the exchange and protection of classified information between the two countries.
- Letter of Intent between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France’s Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) on microgravity research and human space exploration.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated Bharat Innovates 2026, a three-day global deep tech showcase and accelerator initiative organised by India's education ministry in Nice. The…
The upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Summit will feature a dedicated meeting on West Asia to address regional volatility and maritime security. Future defence agreements between India and France will be integrated with the…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and Slovakia from June 13 to 18, attending the G7 Summit and the VivaTech technology event in Paris. In Nice, France, PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron will jointly…
India and Sweden have upgraded their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. The two nations launched the Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0 and the India-Sweden Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Corridor.
Indian Army releases 'Army Uniforms-2026' manual with new dress rules
Key Updates:
- The Indian Army introduced 'Army Uniforms-2026', a 174-page manual replacing previous regulations issued eight years ago.
- A new winter uniform, Winter Dress No. 3B, consisting of an angola shirt, battle jacket, and beret, has been introduced for all ranks.
- Officers are now permitted to wear closed-neck bandi jackets as part of formal dress, in a solid, sober colour.
- Women officers may wear sarees or kurta-salwar with ankle-length trousers and dupatta, but sleeveless kurtas, palazzos, and cigarette pants are prohibited.
- The manual restricts tattoos and body piercings, prohibits perfumes or deodorants while in uniform, and limits moustache length to 12 centimetres.
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The Indian Army and the Indian Navy (IN) signed a Memorandum of Association (MoA) on Affiliation to formalise structured cooperation between Army formations and naval ships and commands. The MoA was signed by Lt Gen VPS…
Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 to retain IPS dominance in CAPF leadership (End of March)
The Union Cabinet cleared the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 on 11 March 2026 to retain IPS officers on deputation in five CAPFs: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. The Bill mandates 50% of…
Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 mandates IPS dominance in senior CAPF leadership (End of March)
The Centre will introduce the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on 23 March 2026. The Bill replaces fragmented rules of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB with a single unified…
Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 notified after President’s assent (Mid of April)
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 was notified on 9 April 2026 after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent. The Act is an umbrella law regulating recruitment, deputation, promotion and…
World Economic Forum (WEF) selects 9 Indian start-ups for 2026 Technology Pioneers list
Key Updates:
- The World Economic Forum (WEF) unveiled its 2026 Technology Pioneers cohort, selecting 100 early-stage companies from 23 countries.
- Nine Indian start-ups were selected: Airbound, Dhruva, OrbitAID, Bellatrix Aerospace, Sarla Aviation, Ethereal Exploration Guild, Varaha, Fermbox Bio, and BorderPlus.
- The 2026 cohort focuses on infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI), including tools for cybersecurity, identity verification, payments, enterprise integration, computing power, and energy management.
- Other highlighted innovations in the cohort include quantum-computing solutions, advanced cancer detection systems, cleaner energy technologies, sustainable materials, satellite servicing technologies, and industrial automation tools.
- The Technology Pioneers programme, launched in 2000, will invite selected companies to the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, China, from June 23 to 25.
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The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognised more than 55,200 startups in FY26, representing a 51.6% increase over the previous year. Direct job creation by startups grew by 36.1% in…
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) records 30.2% surge in India patent filings to 1.43 lakh in FY 2025-26 (Mid of April)
Patent applications filed in India rose 30.2% to 1,43,729 in 2025-26 from 1,10,375 in 2024-25. Domestic filings accounted for over 69% of total applications, with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra leading.
Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0) – Rs 10,000 crore (Mid of April)
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) notified the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0) with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore. The scheme aims to mobilise venture and growth capital for deep‑tech startups…
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognises over 1.02 lakh women-led startups (Mid of March)
Among 2.12 lakh entities recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), over 1.02 lakh have at least one woman director or partner. Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have…
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) Selects Three Startups for Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) Support
Key Updates:
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected three startups for the first round of funding under the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) scheme.
- The selected companies are Astrobase Space Technologies (Bengaluru), SatSure Analytics India (Bengaluru), and TM2SPACE Technologies (Hyderabad).
- Astrobase Space Technologies will develop an 800 kN-class reusable liquid oxygen-liquid natural gas (LOX-LNG) closed-cycle rocket engine for medium- and heavy-lift launch vehicles.
- SatSure Analytics India will build Dhaarini, an artificial intelligence platform for analysing satellite and aerial imagery to provide insights for agriculture, infrastructure planning, and disaster management.
- TM2SPACE Technologies will develop AI-powered star trackers, including StarSense Lite for CubeSats and StarSense Pro for satellites weighing more than 50 kg.
- The TAF scheme has a total funding of ₹500 crore, with a maximum funding cap of ₹25 crore per project.
- Under TAF, funding is provided up to 60% of the project cost for startups/Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and 40% for large industries.
- The evaluation process involved experts from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), industry bodies, academic institutions, and IN-SPACe.
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T-Hub Launches Third Cohort of ORBIT Spacetech Accelerator (Start of June)
Hyderabad-based startup incubator T-Hub launched the third cohort of ORBIT, a spacetech accelerator programme under the AIC T-Hub Foundation. The third cohort inducts 13 startups: Sanyark Space Technologies, Trishul…
The Andhra Pradesh government will create an angel fund for startups in collaboration with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The fund is aimed at deep-tech startups in artificial intelligence (AI)…
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has announced a full transfer of technology of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to the Indian private industry. The opportunity is aimed at…
The Department of Space (DoS) has approved the establishment of Common Technical Facilities (CTFs) in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to expand the country's space infrastructure. The Gujarat government has identified a land…
Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Adds Three New Chicks to Captive Breeding Programme
Key Updates:
- The conservation breeding programme for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) has hatched 26 chicks in its fourth year, comprising 18 through artificial insemination, 4 through natural breeding, and 4 from wild-collected eggs.
- The total captive stock of GIB has grown to 94 birds, with the latest three chicks emerging from one wild-collected egg and two captive-laid eggs.
- The GIB (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a critically endangered species found in the arid and semi-arid grasslands of central and western India.
- Major threats to the species include hunting, habitat loss, and the installation of electric power lines for solar parks in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- In 2024, the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) approved ₹77.05 crore over five years for the conservation of the GIB and the lesser florican.
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Blackbucks officially last sighted in Chhattisgarh in 1927. Reintroduction began in 2018 at Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary with 77 blackbucks: 50 translocated from Delhi and 27 sourced from Kanan Pendari Zoo, Bilaspur.
Chhattisgarh Forest Department scientifically reintroduces 34 blackbucks into Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in two phases. (Start of April)
Chhattisgarh Forest Department released 34 blackbucks into Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary following strict scientific protocols. The translocated blackbucks were released into the Rampur grassland area to augment the…
Avian ecologist Parveen Shaikh was honoured with the Whitley Award by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN). The award recognises her efforts to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer and the expansion of her…
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, also known as Surha Tal, located in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as India's 100th Ramsar site. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 June…
Novartis India launches Pluvicto for prostate cancer treatment
Key Updates:
- Novartis India launched Pluvicto, a precision radiotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
- Pluvicto is the first regulatory authority-approved radioligand therapy in India for patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive prostate cancer.
- The therapy is designed to precisely target prostate cancer cells while minimising exposure to healthy tissues.
- Pluvicto introduces a new treatment approach specifically for metastatic prostate cancer.
- The treatment will be made available through select hospitals and nuclear medicine centres across India.
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Telangana Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha declared cancer a notifiable disease and launched a cancer registry on Tuesday. About 55,000 to 60,000 new cancer cases are reported in the state annually.
International Albinism Awareness Day observed on June 13
Key Updates:
- International Albinism Awareness Day is observed every June 13 to advocate for the human rights of people with albinism worldwide.
- The day is organised by the United Nations (UN) to combat discrimination and promote a more inclusive society.
- The United Nations (UN) observed International Albinism Awareness Day for the first time in 2014.
- Albinism, also known as hypo-pigmentation, was discovered in 1908 by British physician Sir Archibald Edward Garrod.
- The condition is a genetically inherited disorder resulting in a lack of pigmentation, which causes visual impairment and an increased risk of skin cancer.
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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh dedicated the UMMID (Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders) programme to the nation on 21 May 2026. The programme is designed to improve early diagnosis, screening…
International Thalassemia Day observed on May 8 with theme Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed (Start of May)
International Thalassemia Day is observed annually on May 8. The theme for 2026 is Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.
Prevention of Blindness Week observed from April 1–7 with the theme Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World (Start of April)
Prevention of Blindness Week is observed annually from April 1 to April 7 to raise awareness about eye health and preventable vision loss. The theme for the year 2026 is Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World, highlighting…
World Parkinson’s Day 2026: Theme 'Bridge the Care Gap' (Mid of April)
World Parkinson’s Day 2026 theme is 'Bridge the Care Gap'. Early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD) accounts for roughly 5–10% of global cases according to a 2025 review in The Lancet Neurology.
16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting held on June 12 and 13
Key Updates:
- The 16th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on June 12 and 13 under India’s Presidency.
- The BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture will be initially coordinated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)–Indian Institute of Farming System Research (IIFSR), Modipuram.
- The Network on Digital Agriculture will be coordinated by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi during its initial phase.
- The Global Forum on Farmers’ Rights in Seed Systems will be initially coordinated by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), New Delhi.
- The BRICS Agro-Inputs, Genetic Resources and Information Network (AGRIN) Framework was established to facilitate information sharing, technical cooperation, and partnerships.
- The BRICS Agricultural Research Platform (BARP) will be transformed into a Knowledge-to-Action Hub to translate research outcomes into practical solutions for farmers.
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BRICS Agriculture Meeting Commences in Indore on June 9, 2026 (Start of June)
Senior officials from BRICS countries gathered in Indore for a five-day agriculture meeting starting June 9, 2026. The meeting is held under the chairmanship of India to focus on food security, climate-resilient farming…
Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) launched on 13 March 2026 to boost bilateral trade and investment (Mid of March)
The Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) was formally launched by diplomats and agribusiness leaders from over ten nations to accelerate agricultural trade, investment, and technology transfer. The AAAA is established as a…
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…
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…
4 products from Jharkhand receive Geographical Indication (GI) tag on June 14, 2026
Key Updates:
- Four products from Jharkhand have secured Geographical Indication (GI) status.
- The products granted the GI tag are Bhagaiya silk, Kuchai silk, Munda jewellery, and bamboo craft.
- The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) announced the recognition.
- Bhagaiya silk and Kuchai silk represent the sericulture tradition and indigenous craftsmanship of Jharkhand.
- Munda jewellery is recognised for the unique motifs and artistic traditions of the Munda community.
- Bamboo craft recognition acknowledges rural artisans who create utility and decorative products from local resources.
- Deepmala Ghosh is the Chief General Manager of the Nabard regional office.
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