Daily Current Affairs: 17 April 2026

ITC Ltd Achieves Nation-First Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA 3.0) Certification for Wheat and Paddy

[ITC Ltd]

Key Updates:

• ITC Ltd became the first company in India to receive the globally‑acknowledged Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0 certification for wheat and paddy.
• The certification helps build credibility with global customers and supports compliance with sustainability commitments in regions such as the EU.
• ITC implemented the FSA 3.0 standards across more than 22,000 acres in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, engaging over 3,500 farmers through more than 70 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
• Around 30 formal policies and guidance documents aligned with FSA standards were developed by ITC, covering agronomy, soil and nutrient management, health, hygiene and safety, use of crop protection inputs, waste handling, water use, environmental management, biodiversity conservation, air quality and emissions, traceability and overall farm management.
• ITCMAARS (Metamarket for Advanced Agriculture and Rural Services) ecosystem has so far benefited more than 2.2 million farmers and over 2,100 FPOs across 11 states.
• The Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) standards are developed by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) platform, which has over 190 member organisations.
• The latest version, FSA 3.0, was introduced in April 2021.

Department of Commerce notifies special economic zone for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing at Dholera

Key Updates:

• The Department of Commerce notified a special economic zone for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Pvt Ltd at Dholera, Gujarat.
• Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing has proposed an investment of ₹91,000 crore to set up India's first chip fabrication unit.
• The SEZ will be established on 66.16 hectares of land.
• The project is expected to generate 21,000 jobs.
• The government reduced the minimum contiguous land requirement for semiconductor and electronics component sectors from 50 hectares to 10 hectares.
• Five new SEZs for the sectors have been notified, including CG Semi with a proposed investment of ₹2,150 crore.
• The notified SEZs also include Kaynes Semicon with a proposed investment of ₹681 crore.
• Micron Semiconductor Technology India is among the notified SEZs with a proposed investment of ₹13,000 crore.
• Hubballi Durable Goods Cluster is among the notified SEZs with a proposed investment of ₹100 crore.

Reliance Jio and Bank of Baroda (BoB) launch bob World Lite for JioPhone Prima 4G

[Reliance Jio, Bank of Baroda (BoB)]

Key Updates:

• Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Jio) and Bank of Baroda (BoB) have partnered to launch 'bob World Lite', a mobile banking application for feature phone users.
• The application is specifically designed for the JioPhone Prima 4G device to expand digital banking access in semi-urban and rural areas.
• The app features a lightweight, low-bandwidth architecture that supports keypad navigation and secure access.
• Services offered include Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enabled Scan & Pay, money transfers, bill payments, and recharges.
• The platform allows self-onboarding for both BoB customers and customers of other banks.
• The app comes pre-loaded on new JioPhone Prima 4G devices and is available for download via the JioStore for existing users.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reports unemployment rise to 5.1% in March

Key Updates:

• The unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in March, up from 4.9% in February.
• Women faced a higher unemployment rate of 5.3% compared to 5.0% for men in March.
• Urban unemployment increased to 6.8% in March from 6.6% in February.
• Rural unemployment edged up to 4.3% in March from 4.2% in February.
• Youth unemployment (ages 15-29) rose to 15.2% in March, up from 14.8% in February.
• Young men's unemployment rate increased to 14.3% in March from 13.7% in February.
• Young women's unemployment rate inched up to 17.7% in March from 17.6% in February.
• The survey covered 89,234 households and 375,262 individuals across rural and urban areas.
• The labour force participation rate (LFPR) slipped to 55.4% in March, down from 55.9% in February.
• Male LFPR dipped marginally to 77.4% in March from 77.5% in February.
• Female LFPR fell to 34.4% in March, down from 35.3% in February.
• Urban LFPR fell to 50.3% in March, down from 50.4% in February.
• Rural LFPR declined to 58.0% in March, down from 58.7% in February.
• Youth LFPR dropped to 41.6% in March, down from 42.1% in February.
• Young men's LFPR fell to 60.9% in March, down from 61.2% in February.
• Young women's LFPR declined to 22.3% in March, down from 23.1% in February.
• The worker population ratio (WPR) decreased to 52.6% in March, down from 53.2% in February.
• Male WPR slipped to 73.6% in March.
• Female WPR slipped to 32.6% in March.

China resumes buying broken rice from India

[China]

Key Updates:

• China has resumed buying broken rice from India after previously rejecting several shipments.
• The Rice Exporters Association of India (TREA) offers broken rice at $300-310 FOB.
• Container freight costs have risen to $75-80 per tonne for a 20-foot container.
• Indian 5% broken white rice is priced at $335-339 per tonne, making it the most competitive globally.
• Thailand quotes $423 per tonne, Vietnam $344-348 per tonne, and Pakistan $345-349 per tonne for broken rice.
• India exported record volumes of broken rice to China during the 2021-22 period.
• The Indian government banned broken rice exports in 2022 due to domestic supply concerns.
• India's rice production for the 2025-26 crop year is estimated to exceed 150 million tonnes.
• Bunker fuel price surge of 50% due to the Iran war has increased shipment costs.

World Economic Forum (WEF) projects global GDP to rise by $56 trillion in five years

[World Economic Forum]

Key Updates:

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates global GDP will increase by about USD 56 trillion over the next five years.
• The projected growth is attributed to advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other emerging technologies.
• The report identifies information technology services, advanced manufacturing, energy and other technology‑driven industries as the largest growth opportunities.
• Agriculture, education, healthcare, tourism and transport services are also expected to benefit from increased innovation and modernisation.
• Information technology services, advanced manufacturing, health and healthcare, and accommodation and leisure are highlighted as key drivers of global economic growth.
• Real estate, electronics, insurance and pensions, and chemicals and materials are noted as sectors less likely to drive major growth.
• Emerging markets face new challenges from geo‑economic fragmentation and the expansion of AI and robotics reshaping traditional development models.
• The WEF warns of risks including rising debt levels, societal polarisation and the impact of climate change.
• Advancements in frontier technologies and accelerated green and energy transitions are expected to support the economic expansion.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) places India at sixth in global GDP rankings

[International Monetary Fund]

Key Updates:

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates India's GDP at $3.92 trillion for 2025, ranking it sixth globally.
• The IMF estimates the United Kingdom's GDP at $4 trillion and Japan's GDP at $4.44 trillion for 2025.
• India's nominal GDP grew around 9 per cent in rupee terms, reaching Rs 318 trillion in 2024 and Rs 346.5 trillion in 2025.
• The rupee depreciated from 84.6 per US dollar in 2024 to 88.5 per dollar in 2025, affecting the dollar‑denominated ranking.
• The base year for India's GDP was revised from 2011–12 to 2022–23, lowering nominal GDP from Rs 357 trillion to Rs 345.5 trillion in the new series.
• The IMF cut its 2027 India GDP projection to $4.58 trillion from $4.96 trillion in the earlier October update.
• The IMF projects India to remain sixth in 2026 with GDP about $4.15 trillion, rise to fourth in 2027 with $4.58 trillion, surpass Japan in 2028 with $5.06 trillion, and reach third by 2031 with $6.79 trillion.
• By 2030, the IMF projects India's GDP to reach $6.17 trillion, narrowing the gap with Germany.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervened in the foreign exchange market as the rupee traded in the Rs 94–95 per dollar range before stabilising at Rs 93.39.

Commerce Ministry data shows China overtakes US as India's largest trading partner in FY26

[China, United States]

Key Updates:

• Bilateral trade between India and China reached USD 151.1 billion in FY26.
• India's trade deficit with China widened to USD 112.16 billion in FY26.
• The United States was India's largest trading partner for four consecutive years until FY25.
• India's exports to China rose 36.66 per cent to USD 19.47 billion in FY26.
• India's imports from China increased 16 per cent to USD 131.63 billion in FY26.
• The trade deficit with China swelled to an all-time high of USD 112.6 billion in FY26, up from USD 99.2 billion in FY25.
• India's outbound shipments to the United States grew 0.92 per cent to USD 87.3 billion in FY26.
• India's imports from the United States increased 15.95 per cent to USD 52.9 billion in FY26.
• India's trade surplus declined to USD 34.4 billion in FY26 from USD 40.89 billion in FY25.
• China was India's top trading partner from FY13-14 to FY17-18 and again in FY20-21.
• Before China, the United Arab Emirates was India's largest trading partner.
• The United States has been India's largest partner since FY21-22.
• Negative export growth in FY26 was recorded with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Australia, France, South Africa and Malaysia.
• Positive export growth in FY26 was recorded with the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Nepal, Brazil, Spain, Belgium and Vietnam.
• Negative import growth in FY26 was recorded with Russia, Iraq, Indonesia, Australia, Qatar and Taiwan.
• Positive import growth in FY26 was recorded with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Germany, Thailand and Malaysia.

HDFC Bank and Visa launch FIFA World Cup 2026-themed Pixel credit card

[HDFC Bank, FIFA]

Key Updates:

• 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.

Vingroup signs pact to invest $6.5 billion in Maharashtra

[Vietnam, Vingroup, Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• Vingroup entered into an agreement with the Maharashtra government to explore investments worth about $6.5 billion across multiple sectors in the state.
• The proposed investments include integrated urban townships, electric mobility solutions, renewable energy, and social and public infrastructure.
• Vingroup will explore integrated urban townships spanning approximately 1,000 hectares with residential, commercial, education, healthcare and amenity components.
• The urban development component is estimated at around $5 billion targeting new growth centres near Mumbai, including the emerging zone Mumbai 3.0.
• Through GSM India, Vingroup proposes to deploy a large‑scale electric taxi fleet of about 60,000 electric vehicles, with an estimated investment of approximately $1.5 billion, creating tens of thousands of jobs over three to five years.
• Via VinEnergo, Vingroup will explore large‑scale renewable energy investments aligned with India’s energy transition roadmap and net‑zero emissions targets.
• Group firms Vinschool, Vinmec and Vinpearl will explore development of social and public infrastructure projects in education, healthcare, public electric bus transportation and tourism services.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the investments will significantly enhance urban infrastructure, boost sustainable mobility and create large‑scale employment opportunities.
• The Maharashtra government and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will support Vingroup in land identification, project planning, facilitation of statutory approvals, provision of connectivity infrastructure and consideration of applicable incentives.

Cocoa Self‑Sufficiency Roadmap – Targeting Domestic Production by 2040

Key Updates:

• The roadmap is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MAFW).
• It proposes the establishment of a National Mission on Cocoa.
• Phase 1 (2026‑28) includes launching the mission, setting up a Centre of Excellence and creating nearly 250 hectares of polyclonal seed gardens across states.
• Phase 2 (2028‑30) aims to train nearly 1 lakh farmers, supply around 25 million seedlings, establish regional CoE hubs and pilot a digital farmer registry and traceability system.
• Phase 3 (2030‑35) targets expanding cocoa cultivation to 1 lakh hectares and meeting 50 percent of domestic cocoa demand.
• Phase 4 (2035‑40) envisions self‑sufficiency in cocoa production, positioning India as a global processing hub and achieving 100 percent digital traceability.
• Domestic cocoa consumption is projected to reach 4.67 lakh tonnes by 2040, growing at a CAGR of 5.5 percent.
• India currently meets less than 20 percent of its cocoa requirement, with annual imports exceeding $866 million.
• Implementation begins in 2026.

Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy – One Day Paid Leave per Month

[Karnataka, Karnataka High Court]

Key Updates:

• The Karnataka government issued notifications on 12 November 2025 and 20 November 2025 providing women employees with one day of paid menstrual leave each month.
• The Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025 proposes monthly paid menstrual leave for women in both government offices and private establishments and a 2 per cent attendance relaxation for girl students in government and private educational institutions.
• The Karnataka High Court directed the state government to ensure effective operationalisation of the menstrual leave policy through suitable guidelines, circulars and administrative instructions across organised and unorganised sectors.
• The petition prompting the court's direction was filed by Chandravva Hanamant Gokavi, a hotel worker from Belgavi.
• The court observed that the policy is intrinsically linked to the realisation of a fundamental right and the constitutional promise of equality.

FTA Calendar – India-UK, Oman, New Zealand Agreements Implementation

[United Kingdom, Oman, New Zealand]

Key Updates:

• Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the India-UK free trade agreement is expected to come into force by May 2026.
• The India-Oman free trade agreement will take effect from 1 June 2026.
• India is set to sign its free trade agreement with New Zealand on 27 April 2026, with the pact expected to come into force by October 2026.
• Since 2014, India has concluded eight trade agreements, including Mauritius (April 2021), United Arab Emirates (May 2022), Australia (December 2022), Oman (December 2025), United Kingdom (July 2025), European Free Trade Association (October 2025), New Zealand (negotiations concluded December 2025), and European Union (negotiations concluded 27 January 2026).

Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill – Lok Sabha Strength Raised to 850 Seats

[Lok Sabha]

Key Updates:

• The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes to increase the total strength of the Lok Sabha from the current 545 to 850 members.
• The Delimitation Bill, 2026 provides for a Delimitation Commission headed by a Supreme Court judge, with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and State Election Commissioners (SECs) as members.
• The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 makes changes to the laws for Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.
• The amendment removes the constitutional freeze on readjustment of Lok Sabha seats that was based on the 1971 Census and allows delimitation based on the latest published census figures.
• One-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, including within SC and ST quotas, will be operationalised, with seats to be rotated after each delimitation cycle for a period of 15 years.
• The amendment raises the cap on elected members from states to 815 and from Union Territories to 35.
• The Delimitation Commission will allocate seats, redraw constituency boundaries, and determine reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women, ensuring constituencies are geographically compact and consider physical features, administrative boundaries, communication facilities, and public convenience.

India’s First Chip Fabrication Plant – Rs 91,000 Cr Investment

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry notified a special economic zone (SEZ) for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited at Dholera, Gujarat.
• Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited proposes an investment of Rs 91,000 crore to set up India’s first chip fabrication unit.
• The SEZ will cover 66.166 hectares and is expected to generate employment for 21,000 persons.
• The SEZ is designed to support electronic hardware, software and IT‑enabled services, with dedicated infrastructure and an approval mechanism.
• The government amended SEZ rules in June 2025, reducing the minimum contiguous land requirement for semiconductor SEZs from 50 hectares to 10 hectares.
• Four additional semiconductor and electronics component SEZ proposals have been approved: Micron Semiconductor Technology India Pvt Ltd (Rs 13,000 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging in Sanand, Gujarat), Aequs Group (electronic component manufacturing in Dharwad, Karnataka), Kaynes Semicon Ltd (Rs 681 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging), and CG Semi Ltd (Rs 2,150 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging).

Rajya Sabha reconstitutes panel of Vice‑Chairpersons

[Rajya Sabha]

Key Updates:

• The Rajya Sabha reconstituted its panel of vice‑chairpersons on Thursday, with effect from 15 April.
• Six members were nominated to the panel: Dinesh Sharma, S Phangnon Konyak and Ghanshyam Tiwari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); Phulo Devi Netam of the Indian National Congress (Congress); M. Thambidurai of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK); and Sasmit Patra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
• Members of the panel preside over the House when both the Chairman and Deputy Chairman are absent.
• While presiding, panel members exercise the same powers as the Chairperson, including maintaining order, regulating debate and ensuring smooth functioning of the House.
• Unlike the Deputy Chairman, panel members do not hold a permanent constitutional office and preside on a rotational basis.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) – Uniform Legal Framework for Chhattisgarh

[Chhattisgarh]

Key Updates:

• On 16 April 2026, the Chhattisgarh Cabinet approved a high‑level committee to prepare a draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) framework.
• The committee is headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
• The committee will consult citizens, legal experts and stakeholders and may invite feedback through a web portal.
• The draft prepared by the committee will be placed before the state Assembly after Cabinet approval.
• Article 44 of the Constitution directs states to work towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens.
• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttarakhand implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in January 2025, becoming the first state to do so.
• The Gujarat Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill last month.

National Mission on Cocoa – Aim for Self‑sufficiency by 2040

Key Updates:

• The knowledge paper recommends launching a National Mission on Cocoa to achieve self‑sufficiency by 2040‑41.
• The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will shape a dedicated policy framework for cocoa, aligned with the Union Budget 2026‑27.
• Phase 1 (2026‑28) proposes establishing a Centre of Excellence and creating nearly 250 hectares of polyclonal seed gardens across states.
• Phase 2 (2028‑30) aims to set up regional CoE hubs and train about 1 lakh farmers, with a target of supplying 25 million seedlings and launching a pilot digital farmer registry.
• Phase 3 (2030‑35) seeks to expand cocoa cultivation to 1 lakh hectares, improve yields, and scale up R&D, targeting 50 percent of domestic cocoa demand.
• Phase 4 (2035‑40) envisions full self‑sufficiency in cocoa production and positioning India as a global cocoa processing hub, with 100 percent digital traceability.
• Domestic cocoa consumption is projected to reach 4.67 lakh tonnes by 2040, growing at a CAGR of 5.5 percent.
• Current imports exceed $866 million annually, with India meeting less than 20 percent of its cocoa requirement.
• The roundtable “India’s Cocoa Future: Self Sufficiency and Global Value Chain Integration” was held in New Delhi, launching the knowledge paper.
• Naveen Kumar Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, highlighted the need for a dedicated cocoa policy.
• Syed Junaid Altaf, Chairperson, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Task Force on Horticulture, emphasised cocoa’s potential to boost farmer incomes and export‑oriented growth.

PM Modi makes nine appeals in Karnataka

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• PM Modi inaugurated the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandir at Mandya, a memorial dedicated to Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt.
• He urged people to save water and manage natural resources efficiently for long-term sustainability.
• He encouraged tree plantation under initiatives like ‘One Tree in the Name of Mother’ and stressed protecting Mother Earth.
• He highlighted cleanliness as a shared responsibility across religious places, public spaces, villages and cities.
• He promoted swadeshi and self‑reliance, urging citizens to adopt Indian‑made products and support domestic industries.
• He encouraged domestic tourism, urging people to travel within the country to explore India’s cultural and natural diversity.
• He urged farmers to adopt natural farming and promoted healthy eating with an emphasis on traditional foods.
• He focused on yoga, sports and fitness.
• He emphasised the spirit of service as essential for the nation’s development.

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway – ₹12,000-crore Highway Reduces Travel Time

[Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the six-lane Delhi-Dehradun Expressway on 14 April 2026.
• The expressway is a 213-km access‑controlled corridor costing ₹12,000 crore.
• Travel time between Delhi and Dehradun is expected to fall from five‑six hours to about 2‑2.5 hours.
• The corridor links the Uttar Pradesh towns of Baghpat, Baraut, Shamli and Saharanpur before reaching Dehradun.
• It will integrate with the Delhi‑Mumbai, Delhi‑Katra and Delhi‑Meerut expressways.

Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0) – Rs 10,000 crore

[Ministry of Commerce and Industry]

Key Updates:

• 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, early‑growth‑stage companies and technology‑driven manufacturing enterprises.
• The corpus will be contributed to SEBI‑registered alternative investment funds (AIFs) for investing in equity and equity‑linked instruments of entities recognised as startups by the central government.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will issue operational guidelines and a committee chaired by the DPIIT secretary will monitor implementation.

NITI Aayog releases reports on "Ease of Doing Research & Development in India"

[NITI Aayog]

Key Updates:

• The reports titled “Ease of Doing Research & Development in India” and “Survey Report on Ease of Doing R&D in India” were released on 9 April 2026 in New Delhi.
• The release was officiated by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST).
• The exercise leading to the reports spanned approximately nine months and involved outreach to over 400 institutional leaders and insights from more than 850 distinguished scientists and researchers across the country.
• The event featured senior officials including Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog; Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog; Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Former President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA); Prof. Vinod Kumar Singh, President, National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI); Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, President, INSA; and Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
• The reports propose actionable recommendations to improve funding mechanisms, institutional governance, regulatory frameworks, and research translation in India’s R&D ecosystem.

Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes expansion of Lok Sabha to 850 members

[Lok Sabha]

Key Updates:

• The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 aims to increase the Lok Sabha strength to 850 members, comprising 815 representatives from States and 35 from Union Territories.
• The Bill amends Article 82 to delete the proviso linking delimitation to the post-2026 Census, allowing the use of the 2011 Census data for immediate boundary redrawing.
• It amends Article 334A to decouple the one-third women’s reservation from the post-2026 Census, enabling implementation once the 2026 Delimitation exercise is complete.
• A Delimitation Commission 2026 will be established under the chairmanship of a serving or retired Supreme Court Judge, with the Chief Election Commissioner and State Election Commissioners as ex-officio members.
• NITI Aayog released the Ease of Doing Research & Development (R&D) in India reports, focusing on four pillars: Funding, Governance, Regulatory Frameworks, and Research Translation.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) liberalised branch expansion rules for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), allowing those with Net Owned Funds (NOF) above ₹50 crore and a credit rating of AA or higher to open branches anywhere in India without prior approval.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) increased the latitude for altering Initial Public Offering (IPO) fresh issue size from 20% to 50% without refiling the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) until 30 September 2026.
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) signed MoUs with Porter and Gigin Technologies to generate job opportunities via the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
• The Maharashtra government signed a $6.5 billion MoU with Vietnam’s Vingroup for electric mobility and smart township projects.
• The Department of Posts (DoP) and Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya (PMML) signed an MoU to promote democratic heritage through exhibitions and philatelic initiatives.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) and GE Aerospace signed an agreement to establish a domestic depot for F404 engines to enhance maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.

National Career Service (NCS) Portal – Creation of 30 Lakh Jobs by 2030

[Ministry of Labour and Employment, Porter]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) signed MoUs with Porter and Gigin Technologies on 13 April 2026 to expand employment opportunities through the NCS portal.
• Over 7 lakh vacancies are currently active on the NCS portal and nearly 59 lakh establishments have registered.
• The NCS portal has registered over 6 crore jobseekers and mobilised more than 9 crore vacancies since its inception.
• Porter aims to generate approximately 6 lakh logistics and driving opportunities annually via NCS and around 30 lakh opportunities by 2030.
• Gigin Technologies aims to create at least 2–3 lakh verified job opportunities annually with over 1.5 lakh employer engagements through NCS.
• The collaborations are expected to mobilise nearly 10 lakh job opportunities annually for youth.
• Budget outlay: Not specified in the article.
• Launch date of the MoUs: 13 April 2026.
• Target beneficiaries are youth and jobseekers registered on the NCS portal.

India and United States seal technical pact on fighter jet engine coproduction

[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), GE Aerospace]

Key Updates:

• GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) have reached an agreement on technical matters for coproduction of fighter jet engines.
• The agreement covers transfer of manufacturing technology for the F414 engine, with GE Aerospace owning about 80% of the engine's intellectual property rights.
• A contract has been signed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to set up a depot facility for F404 engines that power the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
• The sixth F404 engine has arrived in India, and GE Aerospace is focusing on timely deliveries while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Under the deal, 99 engines will be manufactured in India to power the Mk2 variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) projects a demand for 120‑130 Tejas Mk2 fighters, which could increase the engine order beyond 99 units.
• The first two squadrons of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) are expected to be powered by the same engine.
• GE Aerospace is interested in discussions with India to develop higher thrust engines of the 120 kN class for next‑generation fighter jets.
• The final contract signing is expected in the current financial year, with HAL planning to set up a manufacturing facility in India within two years of signing.
• The partnership between GE Aerospace and HAL spans 40 years, and the technical agreement is described as a landmark step for economic growth and national security.

Indian Army launches Sikkim's first border village community radio station Sikkim Sundari on 12 April 2026

[Indian Army, Sikkim]

Key Updates:

• The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army launched Sikkim Sundari, the first border village community radio station in the state of Sikkim.
• The radio station is designed to improve communication and access to information in remote high-altitude areas.
• The station will broadcast local news, weather updates, and information regarding various government schemes.
• The initiative serves as a platform to promote local culture and encourage youth participation in community engagement.
• The Additional Director General (ADG) of Border Roads (East), Jitendra Prasad, visited Taramchu in North Sikkim to assess landslide damage.
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is currently conducting restoration work to maintain connectivity for local communities and border access.

United States' GE Aerospace to establish F404-IN20 engine depot for Indian Air Force

[United States, General Electric (GE) Aerospace, Indian Air Force]

Key Updates:

• GE Aerospace announced a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to set up an in-country depot for F404-IN20 engines that power the IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fleet.
• The depot will be owned, operated and maintained by the IAF, while GE Aerospace will supply technical inputs, training, support staff, spares and specialised equipment.
• The facility is expected to remove dependence on overseas repair centres and significantly improve engine turnaround times.
• The collaboration marks the next step in a four-decade-long partnership between GE Aerospace and the IAF.
• Rita Flaherty, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Defence and Systems at GE Aerospace, said the company is committed to supporting India’s armed forces.
• GE Aerospace also provides engines for the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, MH-60R helicopters, the IAF’s AH-64 Apache helicopters and LM2500 marine gas turbines for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and P-17 Shivalik-class frigates.
• Over the past ten years, GE Aerospace’s skilling initiatives have trained more than 5,000 people with core manufacturing skills at its Pune factory.
• The company’s local two-year Edison Engineering Development Program has graduated 150 engineers.
• In September 2025, the GE Aerospace Foundation, in partnership with United Way, launched the Next Engineers programme in Bengaluru to support 4,000 engineering aspirants.
• GE Aerospace has approximately 1,400 engines in service with major Indian airlines and a Pune manufacturing facility with 13 local Indian partners.
• The India Technology Centre in Bengaluru, operating for 25 years, develops aviation technologies for both commercial and military applications.
• GE Aerospace’s global installed base comprises about 50,000 commercial and 30,000 military aircraft engines and employs roughly 57,000 people worldwide.

Infosys appoints Carlos Alcaraz as global brand ambassador in multi-year AI partnership

[Infosys]

Key Updates:

• Infosys has named tennis star Carlos Alcaraz as its global brand ambassador in a multi-year partnership.
• The partnership will use Infosys Topaz, an AI-first platform, for advanced match analytics and a personalised performance application.
• The collaboration will also involve joint social impact initiatives between Infosys and the Carlos Alcaraz Foundation.
• Carlos Alcaraz is a former World No. 1 in men’s tennis and a multiple Grand Slam winner.
• Sumit Virmani, Chief Marketing Officer at Infosys, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to digital innovation.

Microorganisms Survive Simulated Hostile Martian Conditions in Laboratory Study

Key Updates:

• A study titled Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates modulate survival in response to Mars-like stress condition was published in the journal PNAS Nexus.
• Researchers simulated extreme Martian hazards, specifically intense shock waves from meteorite impacts and the presence of toxic perchlorate salts on the surface.
• Simple yeast cells were found to survive these conditions by developing molecular shields that protect crucial cellular functions from stress.
• The research highlighted that bacteria can also survive Martian environments characterised by high radiation, extreme cold, and a lack of oxygen.
• Microorganisms exhibited survival strategies such as altering their physical structure or entering a state of dormancy to withstand inhospitable settings.

Supermassive Black Hole Reactivates After 100 Million Years, Erupts Like Cosmic Volcano

Key Updates:

• A supermassive black hole at the core of a distant galaxy woke up after roughly 100 million years of dormancy.
• Scientists observed the event during the Clusters Hiding in Plain Sight (CHiPS) Survey, specifically CHIPS1911+4455, a rapidly cooling core in a merging cluster.
• The reactivated black hole emitted massive high‑energy jets and radiation, likened to a volcanic eruption in outer space.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) research papers state that active galactic nuclei can produce more energy than all the stars in a galaxy combined.
• The observation demonstrates the cyclical nature of black holes, which can remain inactive for several million years before suddenly becoming active again.
• Such eruptions have a significant impact on surrounding gas clouds, star formation processes, and galaxy architecture.

China proposes 120 km Bohai Strait Undersea Channel project

[China]

Key Updates:

• China is planning the construction of the Bohai Strait Undersea Channel, a 120-kilometre undersea railway tunnel.
• The tunnel is designed to connect the port cities of Dalian in the Liaoning Province and Yantai in the Shandong Province.
• High-speed trains are expected to travel through the tunnel at speeds of up to 250 kilometres per hour, completing the journey in 40 minutes.
• The project focuses specifically on a rail system that will support both passenger and cargo trains as part of the national high-speed rail network.
• The infrastructure plan includes the construction of artificial islands and shafts to provide ventilation channels and emergency exit routes.
• The project is currently in the feasibility study phase and is intended to boost regional economic integration within the Bohai Rim Economic Zone.
• The estimated financial requirement for the venture is several hundred billion yuan.

Scientists engineer bacteria to convert PET plastic into Parkinson’s drug levodopa

Key Updates:

• Researchers engineered Escherichia coli (E coli) to convert discarded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into levodopa.
• The study was published in Nature Sustainability.
• The work was carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh.
• PET plastic is commonly used in bottles and food packaging.
• Levodopa is the leading treatment for Parkinson’s disease, which affects more than 10 million people worldwide.
• Traditional levodopa production relies on multiple fossil fuel‑based chemical steps and is energy intensive, costly and carbon heavy.
• Earlier research by the same Edinburgh team showed plastic can be turned into paracetamol, converting up to 90 per cent of plastic from a one‑litre PET bottle into paracetamol in 24 hours, equivalent to nine 500 mg tablets.
• In 2022, researchers at the University of Southern California demonstrated that engineered fungi can break down polyethylene (PE) into compounds useful for antibiotics, antifungals and cholesterol‑lowering drugs.
• A collaborative study led by the University of St Andrews with partners in the Netherlands and Germany showed PET plastic could be converted into starting materials for cancer therapies and anti‑bleeding drugs.
• The approach could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support a circular economy by reusing waste plastic for medicine production.
• Scaling the process to industrial levels will require cost‑effective manufacturing, regulatory safety approval, sufficient plastic waste collection and long‑term investment with collaboration among scientists, industry and policymakers.

OpenAI launches GPT-5.4-Cyber for defensive cybersecurity

[OpenAI]

Key Updates:

• OpenAI announced a new AI model called GPT-5.4-Cyber, a cyber‑permissive variant of GPT-5.4 designed for defensive cybersecurity.
• Access to GPT-5.4-Cyber is limited to the highest‑tier users who authenticate themselves as cybersecurity defenders.
• Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) is required to use GPT-5.4-Cyber, and it can be obtained by individual identity verification at chatgpt.com/cyber or enterprise requests through an OpenAI representative.
• GPT-5.4-Cyber is fine‑tuned with fewer capability restrictions and includes binary reverse‑engineering capabilities to analyse compiled software for malware, vulnerabilities and security robustness without source code.
• The model is being deployed iteratively to vetted security vendors, organisations and researchers as part of the expanded TAC initiative launched earlier this year.

New Bent-toed Gecko Species Discovered in Assam

[Assam]

Key Updates:

• A new species of gecko named Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis has been discovered near Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar district, Assam.
• The species is named after Raimona National Park.
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the discovery on 13 April 2026.
• The adult Raimona bent-toed Gecko can reach a maximum snout‑vent length of 71.1 mm.
• Genetic analysis places the species within the Cyrtodactylus septentrionalis group.
• Raimona National Park lies in the westernmost part of Assam at altitudes between 85 and 1,042 metres above sea level.
• The park, together with Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, forms a transboundary conservation landscape of more than 2,400 square kilometres.
• The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government heads the park and the Kachugaon Forest Division administers it.
• The park’s flagship endangered species is the Golden Langur, and it also hosts Asian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Indian Gaur, Wild Buffalo, Spotted Deer, Hornbill and numerous orchids.
• The park records over 150 butterfly species, 170 bird species and 380 plant species.

R Vaishali wins FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026

Key Updates:

• Indian Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu won the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 held in Cyprus.
• Vaishali defeated Kateryna Lagno in the final round to secure the title and a spot in the Women’s World Championship match.
• She will challenge Ju Wenjun for the world title, becoming only the second Indian woman to do so after Koneru Humpy in 2011.
• Vaishali’s previous major victories include winning the FIDE Grand Swiss tournament twice and the Women’s Olympiad in 2024.
• Indian player Divya Deshmukh finished in the bottom two of the standings after drawing her final round match against Bibisara Assaubayeva.
• In the parallel Open Candidates tournament, Vaishali’s brother Praggnanandhaa finished in seventh place.

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to introduce player contract system from 2026-27 season

[Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA)]

Key Updates:

• MCA decided to implement annual contracts for its players effective from the 2026-2027 domestic season.
• The contract system will have three grades – A, B and C – with remuneration based on grade.
• Grade A players will be paid between 12 lakh and 20 lakh rupees per annum.
• Grade B players will be paid between 8 lakh and 12 lakh rupees per annum.
• Grade C players will receive 8 lakh rupees per annum.
• The proposal was passed during the recent Apex Council meeting of MCA.
• MCA President Ajinkya Naik stated that the contract system will provide stability to players who do not feature in the IPL.
• Eligibility criteria include registration with MCA, meeting minimum fitness standards, not having represented India in any format in the past two seasons, not being selected by an IPL team in the past two seasons, and recommendation by the selection committee.
• In 2024, MCA decided to match the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) match fees for Ranji Trophy cricketers, which range from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 per day depending on the number of games played.

Shi Yuqi defeats Ayush Shetty to win Badminton Asia Championships 2026

Key Updates:

• Shi Yuqi won the men’s singles title at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 by defeating Ayush Shetty in the final.
• The final score was 21-8, 21-10 in favour of Shi Yuqi.
• The final was held in Ningbo, the People’s Republic of China.
• Ayush Shetty’s silver is India’s first men’s singles medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in eight years.
• Dinesh Khanna remains the only Indian to have won gold in the men’s singles at the event, achieving it in 1965.
• India has secured six bronze medals in men’s singles at the championships, the latest by HS Prannoy in 2018.
• The country’s most recent medal across all events was the men’s doubles gold won by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in 2023.
• Earlier in the tournament, Ayush Shetty defeated world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the semi‑finals.
• He also beat world No. 7 Li Shi Feng of China in the opening round and world No. 4 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the quarter‑finals.

Inauguration of Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira – 15 April 2026

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri in Mandya, Karnataka.
• The inauguration was part of Modi's official visit to Karnataka.
• The event was attended by large gatherings of devotees and officials in Mandya district.

World Voice Day 2026 – 16 April, Theme Caring for Our Voices!

Key Updates:

• World Voice Day is observed annually on 16 April.
• The theme for World Voice Day 2026 is Caring for Our Voices! as chosen by the World Voice Day Committee.
• World Voice Day was first observed in 1999 and was initiated by the World Voice Day Committee.
• The article was published from Mumbai, India.

India and Austria seal 15 deals across defence, counter-terrorism, technology and trade

[Austria]

Key Updates:

• India and Austria concluded 15 arrangements covering defence, technology, innovation and trade.
• A Joint Working Group on counter‑terrorism was agreed to be set up between the two countries.
• A Letter of Intent (LoI) on defence will provide an institutional framework for cooperation in military matters, defence industrial and technology partnership.
• The defence LoI builds on the India‑European Union (EU) Defence and Security Partnership signed on 27 January 2026.
• The LoI on counter‑terrorism will advance cooperation and establish a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Austria’s tunnelling expertise in projects such as the Delhi Metro and the Atal Tunnel.
• Modi mentioned collaboration in defence, semiconductors, quantum technology and biotechnology.

9th Indian Ocean Conference – 10 to 12 April 2026

[Mauritius]

Key Updates:

• 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.

International Day of Human Space Flight observed on April 12

Key Updates:

• The International Day of Human Space Flight is observed annually on April 12 to commemorate the beginning of the space era for mankind.
• Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human in space on April 12, 1961, completing a 108-minute mission aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially declared April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight in 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first flight.
• Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first woman in space on June 16, 1963, aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft.
• Gherman Titov holds the record for the youngest professional astronaut, having travelled to space at the age of 25 aboard Vostok 2.
• Oliver Daemen from the Netherlands became the youngest space tourist at age 18 during a Blue Origin flight on July 20, 2021.
• China has completed its Tiangong space station, which includes the Tianhe core module and two laboratory modules named Wentian and Mengtian.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis II mission is a crewed flyby carrying Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen around the Moon.
• NASA astronauts use an emergency propulsion unit called Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue (SAFER) to return to the station if they become untethered during spacewalks.
• According to 2024 pay schedules, NASA astronauts earn an annual salary of $152,258, while European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts earn between €5,500 and €7,900 monthly.

International Day for Street Children – April 12

[United Nations]

Key Updates:

• 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.

Mark Mobius, Pioneer of Emerging Markets Investing, Died at 89

Key Updates:

• Mark Mobius, a veteran investor widely regarded as a pioneer of emerging markets investing, died at the age of 89 on April 16, 2026.
• He served as the Executive Chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group for more than 30 years and was known as the Indiana Jones of emerging markets.
• He earned a PhD in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1964 and authored the book The Little Book of Emerging Markets.
• Leadership responsibilities at Mobius Investments will be taken over by partners John Ninia and Eric Nguyen.

Sundar Pichai, Ranbir Kapoor and Vikas Khanna Named in TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026

[TIME]

Key Updates:

• Sundar Pichai was named to TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026 for democratising Artificial Intelligence, with Google integrating tools such as Gemini CLI, NotebookLM and Antigravity under his leadership.
• Ranbir Kapoor was the sole Indian actor on TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, praised for blending stardom with nuanced storytelling and elevating Indian cinema for a global audience.
• Vikas Khanna was included in TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, recognised for his Michelin‑starred culinary work, humanitarian efforts and the FeedIndia initiative that provided 30 million meals during the pandemic.
• The 2026 list marks Sundar Pichai's third appearance on the TIME100.

Nizar Amedi elected President of Iraq

[Iraq]

Key Updates:

• Iraq's parliament elected Nizar Amedi as the country's new president.
• Amedi was nominated by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
• He secured 227 votes in a second round of voting, while independent candidate Muthanna Amin Nader received 15 votes.
• Amedi becomes the sixth Iraqi head of state since the removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
• He is 58 years old and previously served as a senior aide to two former presidents and as environment minister from 2022 to 2024.
• Under the constitution, Amedi has 15 days to task the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a cabinet, which must be assembled within 30 days.

Turkey and Australia unveil new partnership model for COP31 in Antalya

[Turkey, Australia]

Key Updates:

• The President‑Designate of COP31, appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, issued a letter dated 13 April outlining the vision for the summit.
• Turkey will hold the presidency of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and host the summit in Antalya.
• Australia, represented by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, will serve as COP31 President of Negotiations with exclusive authority to lead negotiations.
• The new Turkey‑Australia partnership model is described as a departure from previous COP structures, combining Turkey’s presidency and host duties with Australia’s lead in negotiations.
• The Action Agenda prioritises zero‑waste and circular‑economy approaches, acceleration of the clean‑energy transition, green and low‑carbon industrialisation, resilience of vulnerable regions and oceans, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate‑resilient cities, and strengthening of financial and institutional mechanisms.
• The presidency appointed Samed Ağırbaş as Climate High‑Level Champion and Sally Higgins as Youth Climate Champion.
• Fatma Varank will act as Chief Executive Officer of the COP31 presidency, overseeing strategy, negotiations preparation and coordination.
• The Troika approach linking the past, current and future presidencies involves Brazil, Azerbaijan and Turkey to ensure stability and predictability.
• A Pre‑COP meeting is scheduled in Fiji from 5 to 8 October 2026, including a leaders’ event in Tuvalu.
• The guiding principles for the presidency are Dialogue, Consensus and Action, aimed at strengthening participation, ownership of outcomes and concrete implementation.