ICRA Lowers India FY27 GDP Growth Estimate to 6.2 Per Cent
Key Updates:
ICRA has lowered India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth estimate for FY27 to 6.2 per cent from an earlier projection of 6.5 per cent.
For FY26, ICRA projects GDP growth at 7.5 per cent, which is marginally lower than the National Statistical Office (NSO) Second Advance Estimate (SAE) of 7.6 per cent.
Global brokerage Morgan Stanley has projected India's GDP growth to be 6.8 per cent for 2026, supported by strong domestic demand and government-led capital expenditure.
ICRA expects crude oil prices to average USD 95 per barrel in FY27, adjusted from the previous estimate of USD 85 per barrel due to the West Asia crisis.
India's merchandise exports fell by 2.8 per cent on a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis in the March quarter of 2025-26, following a 1.4 per cent rise in the December quarter.
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Nomura cuts India FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7 per cent (Mid of March)▼
Nomura has revised India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) downwards to 7.0 per cent from the earlier estimate of 7.1 per cent.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation forecast for FY27 has been raised by 0.7 percentage points to 4.5 per cent due to rising energy costs.
The Current Account Deficit (CAD) forecast for FY27 has been increased by 0.4 percentage points to 1.6 per cent of the GDP.
Nomura expects India's GDP growth for FY26 to reach 7.6 per cent before the projected slowdown in the subsequent year.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release 400 million barrels from emergency oil reserves, marking its largest-ever discharge to stabilise energy prices.
Oil production in the southern fields of Iraq has declined from 3.3 million barrels per day (b/d) to 1.3 million b/d due to storage constraints and conflict.
Rabobank International projects Brent crude oil prices to average 90 dollars per barrel in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.
Nomura notes that every 10 per cent increase in oil prices could potentially add 0.5 percentage points to India's inflation if costs are passed through to consumers.
Moody's cuts India FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6% from 6.8% on West Asia conflict impact (Start of April)▼
Moody's Ratings reduced India's FY27 real GDP growth projection to 6% from an earlier 6.8%.
West Asia supplies around 55% of India's crude oil imports and over 90% of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Moody's projects FY27 retail inflation to average 4.8%, up from 2.4% in FY26.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects India's GDP growth to moderate to 6.1% in FY27 after 7.6% growth in 2025-26.
Domestic rating agency Icra forecasts FY27 growth at 6.5% due to elevated energy prices linked to the West Asia conflict.
India's current account deficit narrowed to about 0.4% of GDP in calendar year 2025 from 0.9% in 2024.
Moody's anticipates the current account deficit to stay around 1-1.5% of GDP for 2026 and 2027.
Gulf region accounts for roughly 40% of India's total remittance inflows, posing a vulnerability amid conflict.
Global crude prices have risen by almost 50% since United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on 28 February.
Moody's expects central government debt to decline gradually toward 50% of GDP by 2030-31 from about 57% of GDP in 2024-25.
Moody's Ratings slashes India GDP growth forecast to 6% for 2026 (Mid of May)▼
Moody's Ratings (Moody's) has reduced India's GDP growth forecast for 2026 by 0.8 percentage points to 6 per cent.
Moody's has lowered the GDP growth estimate for 2027 by 0.5 percentage points to 6 per cent.
The agency projected a growth rate of 7.5 per cent for India in 2025.
India imports approximately 90 per cent of its energy requirements and 60 per cent of its Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage.
Coal powers about 70 per cent of India's electricity generation, and the country is increasing imports of Russian crude.
Morgan Stanley raises India FY27 GDP forecast to 6.7% (Mid of May)▼
Morgan Stanley has raised India's FY27 growth forecast to 6.7% from 6.2%.
The firm projects gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7% for FY28 and 7.6% for FY26.
Growth for Q1FY27 is expected to be 6.5% year-on-year.
Inflation is projected to average 4.7% in FY27, while oil prices are expected to average $87.5 per barrel.
Higher oil prices could widen the current account deficit to 1.8% of GDP.
United Nations (UN) cuts India's 2026 GDP forecast to 6.4 per cent
Key Updates:
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has revised India's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 6.4 per cent from an earlier projection of 6.6 per cent.
UN DESA projects India's economic growth to be 7.5 per cent in 2025 and 6.6 per cent in 2027.
The revision is attributed to global uncertainties and economic shocks from the West Asia crisis, resulting in higher energy import costs and tighter financial conditions.
India's growth is driven by consumer demand, public investment, and strong performance in services exports.
Global GDP growth for 2026 is forecast at 2.5 per cent, which is 0.2 percentage points below the January projection.
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Moody's Ratings slashes India GDP growth forecast to 6% for 2026 (Mid of May)▼
Moody's Ratings (Moody's) has reduced India's GDP growth forecast for 2026 by 0.8 percentage points to 6 per cent.
Moody's has lowered the GDP growth estimate for 2027 by 0.5 percentage points to 6 per cent.
The agency projected a growth rate of 7.5 per cent for India in 2025.
India imports approximately 90 per cent of its energy requirements and 60 per cent of its Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) usage.
Coal powers about 70 per cent of India's electricity generation, and the country is increasing imports of Russian crude.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) raises India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.5% (Mid of April)▼
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s growth forecast for FY27 to 6.5% from 6.4% projected in January and 6.2% in October last year.
Growth is expected to remain steady at 6.5% in 2027-28, keeping India the fastest-growing economy in both years.
India’s GDP growth for 2025-26 is estimated at 7.6% based on government projections.
The IMF projects India’s inflation to rise to 4.7% in FY27 from 2.1% last year, then ease to 4% in 2027-28.
India’s current account deficit is estimated at 2% of GDP in 2026-27 and 1.6% in 2027-28.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected 6.9% growth for this fiscal.
The World Bank raised India’s growth outlook for this fiscal to 6.6% from 6.3%.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) revised India’s growth estimate to 6.9% from 6.5%.
S&P Global Market Intelligence (S&P Global) Cuts India FY27 Growth Forecast to 6.6% (Start of May)▼
S&P Global Market Intelligence (S&P Global) has lowered India's economic growth forecast for the financial year 2026-27 (FY27) to 6.6% from an earlier projection of 7.1%.
The revision is driven by risks associated with the Iran war, which may lead to narrowing fiscal space and potential constraints on infrastructure-related capital expenditure.
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) is estimated at 7.6% according to official figures.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to rise to 57.5% from 56.1% in FY26, which could delay the long-term target of 49-51% by the financial year 2030-31 (FY31).
The services sector is anticipated to expand its share in the national GDP to nearly 55% by 2030, supported by services-focused free trade agreements (FTAs) and medical tourism.
Goldman Sachs (GS) cuts India’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 5.9% (End of March)▼
Goldman Sachs lowered India’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.9% from its pre-Gulf conflict estimate of 7%.
The revision follows the Gulf conflict and higher Brent crude price projections of $105 per barrel in March and $115 in April.
India’s inflation is forecast to rise to 4.6% in 2026, prompting Goldman Sachs to expect a 50-basis point hike in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy rate.
Goldman Sachs projects India’s current account deficit to widen to 2% of GDP in 2026 from 1.3% in October-December 2025.
Among major economies, India faces the largest growth forecast cut, compared with China (4.7% from 4.8%), South Korea (1.9% from 2%), and Hong Kong (1.8% from 2.6%).
Shyam Metalics awaits new West Bengal industry policy to deploy ₹10,000 crore
Key Updates:
Shyam Metalics has proposed a total investment of ₹20,000 crore in West Bengal, of which ₹10,000 crore is already committed to ongoing projects.
The company is investing ₹4,000 crore to set up a specialty steel and wagon manufacturing plant at Kharagpur, likely to be commissioned this year.
Another ₹6,000 crore is being invested in a hot-rolled coil facility at Jamuria, expected to be completed in the next two years.
The remaining ₹10,000 crore will be deployed after the West Bengal government unveils new land, industry and incentive policies.
Shyam Metalics aims to triple its revenue by 2031 from the current ₹20,000 crore, double production capacity from 16 million tonnes, and raise employment to 50,000 from 25,000.
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Rajasthan's first semiconductor chip packaging facility inaugurated in Bhiwadi (Mid of May)▼
Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the state's first semiconductor plant and a new Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.
The Semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility of Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd. is India's first Small and Medium Enterprise-led unit to begin commercial production of semiconductor chips, set up with an investment of over ₹150 crore under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) SPECS scheme.
Spread across 57,000 square feet, the facility includes Class 10K and 100K cleanrooms and has an annual packaging capacity of 60 million semiconductor units, with plans to scale up to 400–600 million units annually over the next two to three years.
More than 60 per cent of its production is already being exported to markets including the United States, Germany, France, Eastern Europe, China and Nepal.
The Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) developed by ELCINA over 50.3 acres with a project cost of ₹46.09 crore (₹20.24 crore central support) has attracted planned investments of over ₹1,200 crore from 20 companies; operating companies include Aisan Fiem Industries, E-Pack Durable, Sahasra Electronics and Electronics Sector Skill Council of India.
Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS): Centre Approves 29 Projects with ₹7,104 Crore Investment (Start of April)▼
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) approved 29 new applications under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) involving an investment of ₹7,104 crore.
The approved projects have the potential to produce goods worth ₹84,515 crore and generate employment for 14,246 persons.
The initiative marks the first-ever manufacturing of surface-mount device (SMD) passives, including Tantalum polymer capacitors, and rare-earth magnets from rare-earth oxides in India.
Major investment commitments include Dixon Display (₹1,100 crore), Lohum Cleantech (₹700 crore), Indo-MIM (₹592 crore), ASM Technologies (₹565 crore), Syrma (₹385 crore), and Ratnaveer Precision (₹338 crore).
Other approved companies include Wangda Technologies (₹250 crore), Vishay Components (₹225 crore), OEN India (₹216 crore), BG Electrical (₹195 crore), Titan Engineering (₹192 crore), Bharat FIH Limited (₹192 crore), Terminal Technologies (₹175 crore), and Nest Advanced Technology (₹102 crore).
The ECMS was approved in April 2025 with an initial financial outlay of ₹22,919 crore, which was increased to ₹40,000 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Under the programme, the government has approved total projects worth ₹61,671 crore against an initial target of ₹59,350 crore.
The total production potential of all projects approved under ECMS to date is ₹4.51 lakh crore with an employment potential for 65,040 individuals.
Japan, South Korea and Malaysia to invest ₹1,600 crore in Gujarat’s semiconductor ecosystem (Start of March)▼
Gujarat Semiconnect conference in Gandhinagar saw investment proposals worth over ₹1,600 crore to strengthen the state’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem covering manufacturing units, chemicals, equipment, R&D centres and advanced technology startups.
Japan’s Horiba Group, through Horiba India Pvt Ltd, signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to establish an R&D centre in Ahmedabad focused on semiconductor-grade mass-flow controllers and advanced instrumentation.
Malaysia-based Hotayi Electronic signed an agreement with the Gujarat government to set up a ₹250 crore electronics manufacturing facility at Sanand GIDC, expected to employ 1,000 persons and supply high-precision components for semiconductor and allied industries.
Hi-Spec Ltd will set up a ₹750 crore facility to manufacture semiconductor-grade hydrofluoric acid, a critical chemical for wafer processing.
Kiansh International Technologies, in collaboration with a South Korean firm, will invest ₹25 crore to produce gas abatement systems and scrubbers for semiconductor and solar industries.
Japanese chipmaker Rohm Semiconductor partnered with Gujarat-based Suchi Semicon to provide IC packaging and test solutions to the local value chain.
Kaynes Semicon, a subsidiary of Kaynes Technology India Ltd, committed ₹500 crore to Ahmedabad-based startup SpectraGaze Systems to advance India’s capabilities in outer-space imaging and semiconductor technologies.
Government of India (GoI) plans ₹1 lakh crore fund for domestic semiconductor manufacturing (Mid of March)▼
The Government of India (GoI) plans to unveil a fund exceeding ₹1 lakh crore ($10.8 billion) to bolster domestic chipmaking and advance its manufacturing hub ambitions.
The proposed fund will provide subsidies for semiconductor chip design projects, manufacturing equipment, and supply chain development.
The initiative is expected to be launched within two to three months and builds upon the $10 billion incentive programme introduced in 2021.
Under the 2021 programme, the GoI offered to bear 50% of the cost for setting up semiconductor projects in the country.
Micron Technology Inc. is currently establishing an assembly facility in Gujarat, while Tata Group is constructing a semiconductor fabrication plant and a separate packaging unit in the same state.
Foxconn Technology Group has announced a test and assembly facility as part of the existing government incentive programme.
The GoI aims to develop chipmaking capabilities comparable to global leaders such as Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States (US) by 2032.
Parallel Web systems launches Index platform for AI creator compensation
Key Updates:
Parag Agrawal, former Twitter CEO, has unveiled Index, a platform from his artificial intelligence (AI) startup Parallel Web systems.
The Index platform is designed to fairly compensate content creators when AI agents consume their work instead of humans.
The platform utilizes a compensation model based on Shapely value, a game theory concept that estimates each source's contribution to an AI agent's output.
Launch partners for Index include The Atlantic, Fortune, PR Newswire, PitchBook, Enigma, RocketReach, ZoomInfo, Alex Heath’s Sources, Packy McCormick’s Not Boring, and Mario Gabriele’s The Generalist.
The model ties compensation to the value of the agent's work and source contribution, contrasting with fixed-fee licensing deals used by OpenAI with the Associated Press, Axel Springer, and News Corp.
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Gujarat STI Policy 2026–2031: Rs 1000-crore Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund for indigenous research (Start of March)▼
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel unveiled the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026–2031 at the Gujarat SemiConnect Conference in Gandhinagar.
The policy establishes a Rs 1000-crore Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund to support over 100 high-impact indigenous research projects annually in AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotech, green energy, defence, immersive and space technologies.
Gujarat Rajya Research and Innovation Clusters (GRRIC) will create a Science and Technology cluster network starting with Gandhinagar–Ahmedabad and expanding to Vadodara–Surat and Rajkot–Bhavnagar–Junagadh–Jamnagar.
The state targets nurturing 1 lakh skilled researchers by 2030 through 250 annual JRF, SRF, PDF fellowships, a Women in Innovation Fellowship, a unified Gujarat R&D portal and large-scale STEM youth initiatives.
Over 200 IP Facilitation Centres will help file more than 1000 intellectual properties annually, including at least 500 patents.
India AI Impact Summit 2026 releases AI Impact Startup Book mapping 100 deep-tech innovators (Mid of February)▼
The AI Impact Startup Book was launched on the third day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The compendium maps 100 high-impact AI-driven solutions across sectors, technologies and geographies.
AI innovation is expanding beyond healthcare into foundation models, indigenous AI infrastructure, waste-tech, voice- and vision-based Indian applications, and edge AI integrated with hardware.
Nearly 47% of early-stage ventures retain strong local presence, while about 68% of growth-stage startups operate internationally.
Shri Abhishek Singh, Director General of NIC, Additional Secretary at Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CEO of IndiaAI, called the book a repository for ministries and states to evaluate and scale AI solutions.
Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kalpa Impact, highlighted eight insights, noting India is building its own foundation models, AI infrastructure and edge innovation.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) discontinues Investment Fluctuation Reserve requirement for commercial banks
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) discontinued the requirement for commercial banks to maintain the Investment Fluctuation Reserve (IFR) effective from May 18, 2026.
The IFR served as an additional buffer to hedge against depreciation in the value of investments and was subject to mark-to-market (MTM) requirements.
Balances in the IFR as of May 17, 2026, shall be transferred to the Statutory Reserve, General Reserve, or Balance of Profit and Loss Account.
For foreign banks operating in India in branch mode, IFR balances shall be transferred to statutory reserves kept in Indian books or remittable surplus retained in Indian books.
The RBI amended guidelines for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and Payments Banks (PBs) to clarify that transfers to IFR must be made from net profit after mandatory appropriations.
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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) discontinues Investment Fluctuation Reserve (IFR) requirement for commercial banks (Mid of May)▼
The RBI has issued final amendment directions to dispense with the IFR requirement for commercial banks effective from May 18, 2026.
The IFR serves as a financial buffer maintained by banks to absorb valuation losses in investment portfolios resulting from interest rate movements and market volatility.
The balance in the IFR as of May 17 will be transferred to the statutory reserve, general reserve, or profit and loss account, effectively treating the balance as Tier 1 capital.
The amendments cover a broad set of regulated entities including Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Payments Banks (PBs), Local Area Banks (LABs), Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), Rural Co-operative Banks, and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
For remaining regulated entities, the RBI has relaxed compliance by allowing the maintenance of the prescribed IFR level only on balance sheet dates instead of on a continuous basis.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revises counterparty credit risk rules to align with Basel norms (Mid of March)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its counterparty credit risk (CCR) framework to align with Basel Committee on Banking Supervision norms.
The revisions lower capital add-ons for interest rate and foreign exchange contracts.
The revisions increase capital add-ons for some long-dated equity and commodity swaps.
The framework clarifies capital treatment for banks acting as clearing members on exchanges recognised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in equity and commodity derivatives segments.
Regulated entities must include CCR exposures of all entities consolidated under the Basel III framework when computing capital on a consolidated basis.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas, which will come into force from 1 July 2026.
The directions apply to commercial banks, small finance banks, local area banks, cooperative banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and All India Financial Institutions.
Lenders are permitted to extend relief measures to all borrowers without waiting for requests, with an opt-out clause available for 135 days from the date of natural calamity declaration.
Banks may operate calamity-affected branches from temporary premises or provide services through satellite offices, extension counters, or mobile banking facilities.
Banks can provide a waiver or reduction of fees and charges for customers in calamity-declared areas for a period not exceeding one year.
Borrowers are eligible for resolution if their accounts are classified as Standard and are not in default for more than 30 days as of the date of the calamity.
Accounts that became Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) between the date of the calamity and the implementation of the resolution plan shall be upgraded to Standard upon implementation.
Banks are mandated to make an additional specific provision of 5 per cent of the outstanding debt for borrowers under a resolution plan, subject to a ceiling of 100 per cent.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exempts small non-deposit taking NBFCs from registration (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will exempt non-deposit-taking Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) with an asset size of less than ₹1,000 crore from registration and reserve fund requirements effective from July 1, 2026.
To qualify for the exemption, NBFCs must not avail public funds and must not have any customer interface.
The exemption applies to the provisions of sections 45IA and 45IC of the RBI Act, 1934.
Section 45IA concerns registration requirements, while Section 45IC requires NBFCs to transfer 20 per cent of their annual net profit into a reserve fund.
Existing eligible NBFCs, including those holding Certificate of Registration as Type I NBFC, can apply for deregistration by December 31, 2026.
These changes are introduced via the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies - Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Amendment Directions, 2026.
The RBI has set the asset size of ₹1,000 crore as the threshold level for systemic significance requiring oversight.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes restrictions on Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd and penalty on Aurangabad District Central Co-operative Bank Limited
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued directions to the Etawah-based Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd restricting it from granting or renewing loans, making investments, or accepting fresh deposits without prior written approval.
Depositors of Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd are permitted to withdraw a maximum sum of ₹10,000 from savings, current, or other accounts.
Eligible depositors of Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd can receive insurance claims up to ₹5,00,000 from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) under the DICGC Act, 1961.
The restrictions on Nagar Sahakari Bank Ltd are effective for six months from the close of business on May 18.
The RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹20,000 on the Aurangabad District Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Bihar, for non-compliance with directions on Credit Information Reporting.
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HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Bandhan Bank revise ATM withdrawal limits and fees effective 1 April 2026. (Start of April)▼
HDFC Bank will count UPI-based cash withdrawals at its ATMs towards the monthly free ATM transaction limit from 1 April 2026.
After exceeding the free limit HDFC Bank will charge Rs 23 plus applicable taxes per transaction for UPI cash withdrawals.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) reduced the daily ATM cash withdrawal limit from Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 50,000 for RuPay NCMC Platinum Domestic Debit card, RuPay NCMC Platinum International Debit card, RuPay Women Power Platinum Debit card, RuPay PNB Palaash Debit card-Recycled PVC Debit card, RuPay Business Platinum NCMC Debit card, MasterCard Platinum Debit card, VISA Gold Debit card and PNB MasterCard Platinum Rise effective 1 April 2026.
PNB also reduced the daily ATM cash withdrawal limit from Rs 1,50,000 to Rs 75,000 for RuPay Select Debit card, PNB RuPay Select Neo, PNB RuPay Select Excel, VISA Signature Debit card and MasterCard Business Debit card effective 1 April 2026.
Bandhan Bank will allow up to five free financial transactions and unlimited non-financial transactions per month at its own ATMs from 1 April 2026.
Bandhan Bank caps free transactions at other bank ATMs at three per month in metro cities and five per month in non-metro cities covering both financial and non-financial transactions combined from 1 April 2026.
Metro cities for Bandhan Bank include Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi.
Bandhan Bank will charge Rs 23 per financial transaction and Rs 10 per non-financial transaction once free limits are exceeded from 1 April 2026.
Bandhan Bank will levy Rs 25 for ATM transaction declines due to insufficient funds from 1 April 2026.
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) penalises HSBC with ₹31.80 lakh fine (End of March)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹31.80 lakh on HSBC for non-compliance with regulatory norms.
The penalty was issued following a statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of the bank's financial position as on March 31, 2025.
HSBC failed to host a searchable database of unclaimed deposits on its official website.
The bank did not generate and assign Unclaimed Deposits Reference Number (UDRN) to certain unclaimed deposits.
The non-compliance involved unclaimed deposits transferred to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exempts small non-deposit taking NBFCs from registration (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will exempt non-deposit-taking Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) with an asset size of less than ₹1,000 crore from registration and reserve fund requirements effective from July 1, 2026.
To qualify for the exemption, NBFCs must not avail public funds and must not have any customer interface.
The exemption applies to the provisions of sections 45IA and 45IC of the RBI Act, 1934.
Section 45IA concerns registration requirements, while Section 45IC requires NBFCs to transfer 20 per cent of their annual net profit into a reserve fund.
Existing eligible NBFCs, including those holding Certificate of Registration as Type I NBFC, can apply for deregistration by December 31, 2026.
These changes are introduced via the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies - Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Amendment Directions, 2026.
The RBI has set the asset size of ₹1,000 crore as the threshold level for systemic significance requiring oversight.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Certifies VIYONA Fintech for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) Infrastructure
Key Updates:
Hyderabad-based fintech company VIYONA Fintech has secured NPCI certification for its technology and certification framework across multiple payment infrastructure layers.
The certification includes capabilities for UPI Acquirer, UPI Issuer, IMPS, and Interoperable Banking Mobile Banking (IBMB) integrations.
The completion of both UPI Acquirer and UPI Issuer capabilities allows the company to participate in merchant acceptance, Quick Response (QR) acquiring, and customer-side issuance infrastructure.
VIYONA Fintech is launching the ViyonaPay initiative to expand digital payment acceptance and banking accessibility across underserved and rural markets.
The company is expanding its portfolio with six upcoming offerings across merchant payments, rural acceptance infrastructure, Point of Sale (POS) ecosystems, and merchant enablement platforms.
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National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) marks 10 years of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) (Start of May)▼
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched in April 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory ambit of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
UPI annual transaction volume increased from 2 crore in FY17 to over 24,000 crore in FY26.
Annual transaction value grew from ₹0.07 lakh crore in FY17 to ₹314 lakh crore in FY26.
Nearly 86% of person-to-merchant transactions on UPI are below ₹500.
UPI processes an average of 66 crore transactions daily, with peak monthly volumes exceeding 2,200 crore.
The number of participating banks expanded from 21 at launch to over 700 banks.
UPI accounts for nearly 49% of global real-time payment transactions by volume.
UPI is operational in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bhutan, Nepal, and France.
The UPI-PayNow linkage enables seamless international transfers.
UPI is integrated with the JAM trinity, consisting of Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile.
NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) partners with Juspay to launch switch and SDK for Banking Connect platform (Start of May)▼
NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) partnered with Juspay to introduce a switch and software development kit (SDK) for its Banking Connect platform.
The solution provides a single integration layer for banks and partners.
It enables routing to a central switch and supports structured data delivery for risk and fraud monitoring systems.
The initiative is expected to reduce onboarding time and standardise integration processes.
The announcement was made on April 30, 2026.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Centralised Payment System (CPS) membership to Pay Point India Network (End of April)▼
Pay Point India Network has become the first private-sector fintech to gain membership in the Centralised Payment System (CPS) operated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Access to CPS was previously limited to banks and institutions including National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), and stock exchanges.
Pay Point India now has direct access to Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) without relying on partner banks.
The company has been assigned its own IFSC code and maintains a current account and a settlement account directly with the RBI.
RTGS is used for large-value, real-time transactions, while NEFT supports smaller, retail payments processed in batches.
Both RTGS and NEFT operate 24/7 throughout the year.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launches UPI One World wallet for foreign delegates at India AI Impact Summit 2026 (End of February)▼
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) extended UPI One World wallet service to international delegates attending India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 16-20 February.
The wallet enables inbound foreign travellers from over 40 countries to perform real-time Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions across India without a local bank account or Indian mobile number.
Maximum loading limit is Rs 25,000 per transaction and Rs 50,000 per month; remaining balance can be transferred back to the original payment source per foreign exchange regulations.
Wallet accessible at New Delhi International Airport and NPCI Pavilion; loading done via international debit or credit cards and payments made by scanning standard UPI QR codes.
UPI processed 21.70 billion transactions in January 2026.
TVS Venu to acquire up to 9.9% stake in Jana Small Finance Bank (JSFB)
Key Updates:
TVS Venu will acquire up to a 9.9% equity stake in Jana Small Finance Bank (JSFB) on a fully diluted basis.
The acquisition will be executed through a combination of primary warrant issuance and secondary share purchase.
The investment includes a 4.9% stake for TVS Motor Company.
JSFB is a banking franchise based in Bengaluru.
TVS Venu has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 100% stake in PGIM India Asset Management.
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Svatantra Microfin completes amalgamation with Chaitnya India Fin Credit, creating Rs 22,000 crore AUM entity. (End of March)▼
Svatantra Microfin completed amalgamation with Chaitanya India Fin Credit and Svatantra-Holding after approvals from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
The amalgamation is effective from the NCLT-Mumbai bench order dated 12 March 2026.
Post-merger, the combined entity holds assets under management (AUM) of about Rs 22,000 crore including its housing-finance business.
Svatantra Micro Housing Finance Corporation has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Svatantra Microfin.
The merged entity operates through about 2,200 branches across 20 states and employs around 25,000 people.
Since inception the company has disbursed approximately Rs 70,000 crore and serves around 5 million customers.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Approves Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd (KMBL) to Acquire 9.99% Stake in AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) and Federal Bank (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval to Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd (KMBL) to acquire an aggregate holding of up to 9.99 per cent in AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB).
KMBL also received the RBI nod to acquire up to 9.99 per cent of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in Federal Bank.
The approval letters from the RBI regarding these acquisitions were received by both AU SFB and Federal Bank on 6 May 2026.
The Kotak Mahindra Group, comprising KMBL and its subsidiaries, is authorised to hold these stakes through their managed funds and schemes.
Following the announcement, shares of AU SFB traded at ₹1,034.60, Federal Bank at ₹297.40, and KMBL at ₹380.40 on the BSE.
B Ramesh Babu reappointed as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank (End of April)▼
B Ramesh Babu has been reappointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Karur Vysya Bank.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the reappointment.
The appointment is for his third term.
State Bank of India (SBI) expects lending of ₹70,000-80,000 crore under ECLGS 5.0 (Start of May)▼
State Bank of India (SBI) expects eligible customer utilisation under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0 to be in the range of ₹70,000-80,000 crore.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will facilitate an underwriting auction for government securities worth ₹34,000 crore on 8th May.
Kotak Mahindra Bank received approval from the RBI to acquire up to 9.99% stake in AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB).
Axis Bank raised $500 million in an offshore loan from MUFG.
Union Bank shed approximately ₹75,000 crore in bulk deposits in FY26, including ₹30,000 crore in Q4.
Indian Railways approves ₹238 Crore Safety Upgrade for Jammu-Katra Rail Section
Key Updates:
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 treatment, and bridge protection interventions at vulnerable locations along the corridor.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the works were approved following a detailed assessment of cuttings, bridges, and tunnels.
The Ministry of Railways (MoR) noted that the upgrades aim to enhance the resilience of the route against difficult terrain, adverse geological conditions, and extreme weather.
The Jammu-Katra corridor is a strategically important rail route that serves millions of pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine annually.
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Cabinet approves Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi High-Speed Rail Project with Rs 20,667 crore outlay (Mid of May)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)-Dholera semi high-speed double-line railway project.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 20,667 crore.
The 134-km corridor is planned with indigenously developed technology and is scheduled for completion by 2030-31.
The rail line will connect Ahmedabad with the Dholera Special Investment Region, the upcoming Dholera Airport, and the Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex.
The project is planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and is expected to reduce oil imports by nearly 0.48 crore litres and cut carbon emissions by about 2 crore kilograms.
Reform Express initiative introduces five new reforms to boost cargo and passenger services (End of March)▼
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced five new reforms under the Reform Express initiative, raising the 2026 total to nine.
Indian Railways launched stainless steel containers with top-loading and hydraulic side-discharge systems for salt transport to cut corrosion and handling damage.
Flexible wagon designs tailored to route-specific tunnels and bridges will be introduced to raise the current 24% share of passenger vehicle movement by rail.
Stricter contractor eligibility, fixed 2% bid security, mandatory bid-capacity evaluation, tighter subcontracting rules, and extra performance guarantees for under-priced bids will improve infrastructure project quality.
Aadhaar-based OTP verification and deletion of nearly three crore fake IRCTC accounts have been implemented to curb ticketing misuse.
Passengers may now cancel tickets 72, 24, or 8 hours before departure aligned with revised chart timings, cancel counter tickets at any station, receive automatic e-ticket refunds, upgrade class up to 30 minutes before departure, and change boarding stations digitally within the same timeframe.
Rail Multi-Tracking Projects Approved with ₹23,437 Crore Outlay (Start of May)▼
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 projects cover 19 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
The approved corridors include the Nagda–Mathura 3rd and 4th Line, Guntakal–Wadi 3rd and 4th Line, and Burhwal–Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line, with a completion target of 2030–31.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), the projects aim to provide connectivity to 4,161 villages and handle an additional 60 million tonnes of freight per annum.
The initiative is expected to reduce oil imports by 37 crore litres and cut carbon emissions by 185 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting approximately 7 crore trees.
Indian Railways approves ₹647.58 crore connectivity projects in Gujarat and Bihar (End of March)▼
Indian Railways sanctioned two projects worth ₹647.58 crore on 24 March 2026 to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
The rail-over-rail flyover at Kosamba, Gujarat, spans 9.20 km and costs ₹344.38 crore to connect the Kosamba–Umrapada gauge conversion section with the Mumbai–Vadodara main line.
The 13.38 km bypass line at Bhagalpur, Bihar, costs ₹303.20 crore and will link Gonudham Halt on the Barahat–Bhagalpur section with Sabour on the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj section.
The Barahat–Bhagalpur section currently operates at over 125 per cent capacity utilisation, causing congestion and requiring engine reversal at Bhagalpur junction.
Ethanol-blending programme: Standards notified for blends up to 30%
Key Updates:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notified specifications for E22, E25, E27, and E30 fuel blends.
The standards cover the admixture of anhydrous ethanol and motor gasoline for usage in positive ignition engine-powered vehicles.
The government has advanced the deadline for 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025-26.
The Union government is evaluating the feasibility of higher blends such as E85.
The initiative aims to reduce crude oil imports, support domestic agriculture through increased feedstock demand, and aid emission reduction in the transport sector.
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Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) III Norms to Regulate Vehicle Fuel Efficiency (Mid of May)▼
The government is expected to notify the final Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) III norms by the end of May 2026.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is updating the compliance formula to shift the reference fuel from E20 to E25/E27 to align with India's ethanol roadmap.
The CAFE III norms are scheduled for implementation starting from April 1, 2027.
The framework aims to reduce dependence on imported crude, expand ethanol usage, and accelerate the adoption of cleaner technologies.
The norms will determine compliance credits for battery electric vehicles, strong hybrids, and flex-fuel technologies.
Indian automakers are preparing distinct strategies: Maruti Suzuki plans ethanol-compatible technology for high-volume models, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is combining flex-fuel engines with strong hybrids, and Tata Motors intends to launch flex-fuel technology around late 2026 or early 2027.
Ministry of Finance (MoF) revises export tax rates on petroleum products (Mid of May)▼
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has introduced a new special additional excise duty (SAED) structure for petroleum product exports.
Petrol exports now attract an SAED of ₹3 per litre.
The export duty on diesel has been reduced to ₹16.5 per litre, following previous rates of ₹21.50 on March 26, ₹55.5 on April 11, and ₹23 on April 30.
The export duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) now stands at ₹16 per litre, having previously been set at ₹29.5, ₹42, and ₹33.
The MoF has reduced the road and infrastructure cess on both petrol and diesel exports to zero.
Ethanol-Blended Petrol (E20) Mandate rolls out nationwide with 95 RON default grade (Start of April)▼
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) mandated oil marketing companies to supply ethanol-blended petrol with up to 20 per cent ethanol content across all states and Union territories from 1 April 2026.
The notification issued on 17 February 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act requires the fuel to meet Bureau of Indian Standards specifications with a minimum Research Octane Number of 95.
E20 petrol consists of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, replacing the earlier E10 blend.
Ethanol feedstock includes sugarcane, maize and other agricultural inputs.
Vehicles manufactured after April 2023 are designed to run on E20 fuel, while older vehicles may require monitoring of fuel system components.
Fuel efficiency may decline by around 3 to 7 per cent due to ethanol’s lower energy content compared with petrol.
E20 Petrol Mandate: Nationwide 20% Ethanol-Blended Fuel Roll-Out from 1 April 2025 (Start of April)▼
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) directed that from 1 April 2025 all petrol pumps nationwide must supply E20 petrol containing up to 20% ethanol.
E20 petrol has an octane rating of about 95 RON compared to regular petrol’s 91–92 RON, allowing smoother combustion.
Ethanol for E20 is domestically produced from crops such as sugarcane, maize, and grains, helping cut fuel import costs and support farmers.
Most newer vehicles are E20-compatible, while older vehicles may experience slight drops in fuel efficiency and potential long-term wear on engine components.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality standards apply to E20 fuel across all regions.
Ayush Anudan Portal launched to strengthen digital governance and transparency in grant management
Key Updates:
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav launched the Ayush Anudan Portal in New Delhi on 19 May 2026.
The portal, developed under the Ministry of Ayush's Ayush Grid initiative, aims to streamline the submission, processing, approval, and monitoring of grant proposals under various Central Sector Schemes.
It integrates with the NGO Darpan Portal to enable faster authentication, automated verification, and improved institutional credibility.
The portal is accessible through the Ministry's My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP) and includes scheme-wise application management and real-time application tracking.
The portal is expected to benefit educational institutions, research organisations, NGOs, healthcare institutions, and other Ayush-related bodies by enabling paperless and transparent grant management.
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BHASHINI Rajyam – A BHASHINI Sahayogi Program to boost Multilingual Digital Healthcare Services (Mid of May)▼
The Ministry of Ayush (Ayush) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to enhance multilingual access to digital services.
The partnership is part of the BHASHINI Rajyam – A BHASHINI Sahayogi Program, aiming to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered language technologies across Ayush Grid portals and applications.
The collaboration aims to expand digital outreach in all 22 scheduled Indian languages, covering knowledge systems like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.
The MoU was signed by Dr Subodh Kumar, Director in Ayush, and Amitabh Nag, CEO of DIBD, in the presence of Secretary Rajesh Kotecha and Joint Secretary Kavita Jain.
The initiative will integrate BHASHINI tools with the Yoga Portal, MAISP, and the NAMASTE portal to develop standardised terminologies and future AI models in the healthcare sector.
100 Days Ayushman Student Coverage Mission to Expand Youth Health Coverage in Nagaland (Start of May)▼
Nagaland launched the ‘100 Days Ayushman Student Coverage Mission’ to expand health coverage for its younger citizens.
The mission is being implemented from May to August, led by the Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) in collaboration with district administrations.
Registration and Ayushman card generation camps will be conducted in selected educational institutions.
Eligible students will be enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).
The initiative aims to strengthen student health security through universal registration and improved access to healthcare benefits.
Swasth Bharat Portal: Integration of Digital Health Systems (Start of May)▼
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, launched the Swasth Bharat Portal on May 7, 2026, during the 10th National Summit on "Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India's Health Future".
The portal was developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to integrate multiple digital applications used in national health programmes for service delivery, monitoring, and reporting.
It functions as an aggregator platform using an API-based federated architecture to create a unified digital layer and ensure interoperability across programmes.
The portal aims to reduce the administrative burden on frontline health workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Community Health Officers (CHOs), and Medical Officers (MOs).
The portal is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) compliant and supports integration with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), and Health Facility Registry (HFR).
Samriddh Gram Initiative nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026 (End of April)▼
The Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model is enabled by BharatNet, an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The initiative has been nominated for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026 under the Action Line AL C6: Enabling Environment category.
The project establishes Samriddhi Kendras as one-stop community hubs providing integrated services in healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, financial inclusion, and e-commerce.
The model utilizes high-speed broadband, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity, and public Wi-Fi to enable telemedicine, smart classrooms, and digital governance services.
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated India's first Samriddhi Kendra at Umri Village in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh.
The WSIS Forum 2026 is scheduled to be held from 6–10 July 2026 in Geneva.
West Bengal Approves 7th Pay Commission and Annapurna Bhandar Scheme
Key Updates:
The West Bengal government approved the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission to revise salaries, pensions, and allowances for lakhs of state government employees and retirees.
The decision was finalised during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to address long-standing demands from the state workforce.
The state cabinet proposed the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, which will be linked with beneficiaries of the existing Lakshmir Bhandar programme.
A new policy was approved to provide free travel for women in state-run buses starting from June 1.
The West Bengal government decided to discontinue all religion-based welfare assistance programmes starting from next month.
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Four Labour Codes: Consolidation of 29 Labour Laws and Universal Social Security (Mid of May)▼
The Central Government has fully operationalised four labour codes: the Code on Wages, 2019 (CW), the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IRC), the Code on Social Security, 2020 (CSS), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSHWCC).
These four codes, which came into effect on 21 November 2025, consolidate 29 existing labour laws into a simplified framework to ensure minimum wage and universal social security for all workers.
The legal framework mandates the establishment of a National Reskilling Fund (NRF) to be utilised for reskilling workers who lose their jobs.
Key provisions under the CW, IRC, CSS, and OSHWCC include mandatory appointment letters, free health check-ups for workers aged 40 years and above, and equal work, pay, and opportunity for women.
The rules cap weekly working hours at 48 hours, mandate at least one rest day per week, and require payment of overtime for work performed beyond standard hours.
West Bengal Government raises upper age limit for state government recruitment (Mid of May)▼
The Government of West Bengal has revised the upper age limits for recruitment to state government posts across Group A, B, C, and D categories.
The revised upper age limits are 41 years for Group A posts, 44 years for Group B posts, and 45 years for Group C and Group D posts.
The changes were incorporated through an amendment to the West Bengal Services (Raising of Age-limit) Rules, 1981, under Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
The revised age limits are deemed effective from May 11, 2026.
For recruitments conducted through bodies other than the Public Service Commission (PSC), West Bengal, the upper age limit is uniformly set at 45 years.
Annapurna Bhandar and Free Bus Travel for Women in West Bengal (Mid of May)▼
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal will implement Annapurna Bhandar, a Direct-Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for women, from June 1.
Eligible women under Annapurna Bhandar are expected to receive ₹3,000 per month directly into their bank accounts.
Women in West Bengal will be able to travel free in state-run buses from June 1, with the transport department considering a pink ticket or zero-fare ticketing model.
The state will implement Ayushman Bharat, a central health insurance programme providing up to ₹5 lakh annual coverage per family with national portability.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the full implementation of Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PM Jan Arogya Yojana, and PM Krishak Bima Yojana in the state.
Central Government notifies 1 per cent construction worker welfare cess (Mid of May)▼
The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) notified a 1 per cent construction worker welfare cess on total construction costs, excluding land and compensation costs, effective from May 1.
The cess must be paid within 30 days of project completion, with a penalty of 2 per cent interest per month for delayed payments.
The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 has been replaced by the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
As of September 30, 2024, approximately 5.73 crore construction workers were registered across India.
Out of the total ₹1,17,507 crore collected as cess, ₹67,670 crore was spent on welfare schemes, leaving ₹49,800 crore unutilised.
Uttarakhand Government to build Rishikesh-Neelkanth Mahadev Ropeway with ₹450 Crore outlay
Key Updates:
The Uttarakhand government is preparing to launch the 6.5 km Rishikesh-Neelkanth Mahadev Ropeway project.
The project has an estimated budget outlay of approximately ₹450 crore to improve access for pilgrims.
The ropeway will reduce the travel time between Rishikesh and the hill shrine from nearly three hours to 15 minutes.
The alignment passes through the Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR), which serves as a movement corridor for Asian elephants, leopards, sambar, cheetal, and several primates.
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has issued directions for special protection measures, with forest land transfer pending an assessment by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
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Khurda Road-Balangir new railway line prioritises environmental safeguards with elephant passages. (Start of March)▼
The Khurda Road-Balangir new railway line is a 301 km project conceived before Indian independence and is nearing completion by early next year.
The line passes through Khurda, Nayagarh, Boudh, Sonepur and Balangir districts, providing rail connectivity to Nayagarh (2017), Sonepur (2024) and Boudh (2025).
East Coast Railway (ECoR) constructed seven tunnels covering 12.76 km and multiple wildlife underpasses and overpasses, including a 4.77 km viaduct that serves as an elephant underpass.
Odisha reports an average of 85 elephant deaths annually; the project features 12 elephant underpasses and six overpasses between Mahipur and Jhatarabha stations.
The ₹5,000 crore project saved approximately two lakh trees by using high-rise viaducts instead of massive embankments and was designed in consultation with the forest department.
Currently, 226 km of the line is operational with 20 stations, and around 5,000 passengers travel daily on four Khurda Road-Daspalla and three Balangir-Purunakatak trains.
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway – ₹12,000-crore Highway Reduces Travel Time (Mid of April)▼
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.
Ganga Expressway: ₹36,230 Crore Infrastructure Project in Uttar Pradesh (Start of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on 29 April 2026.
The Ganga Expressway is a 594-kilometre-long, six-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor.
The project was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹36,230 crore and completed in less than 3.5 years.
The route starts from Bijoli village in Meerut district and ends at Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj district.
Travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj is reduced from 10–12 hours to approximately 6 hours.
The expressway passes through 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh and connects 519 villages.
A 3.5 km stretch in Shahjahanpur district has been developed as a dedicated Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The expressway is designed for speeds up to 120 km/h and includes provisions for future expansion to eight lanes.
Work has commenced to extend the Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Haridwar.
The project is expected to result in fuel savings of approximately 30%.
Uttar Pradesh Development Projects: ₹6,350 Crore Outlay (Start of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh on April 28-29 to launch development projects worth approximately ₹6,350 crore.
In Varanasi, the Prime Minister will dedicate 48 completed projects worth over ₹1,050 crore and lay the foundation stone for 112 projects worth around ₹5,300 crore.
Key infrastructure projects in Varanasi include the Varanasi-Azamgarh Road widening, rail over bridges at Kazzakpura and Kadipur, and a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 55 MLD in Bhagwanpur.
Two new Amrit Bharat Express trains will be flagged off on April 28: Varanasi to Pune (Hadapsar) and Ayodhya to Mumbai (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus).
The 594-km-long Ganga Expressway will be inaugurated in Hardoi on April 29.
The Ganga Expressway is a six-lane (expandable to eight lanes), access-controlled greenfield high-speed corridor built at a total cost of around ₹36,230 crore.
The Ganga Expressway traverses 12 districts: Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli, Pratapgarh, and Prayagraj.
The Ganga Expressway includes a 3.5-km-long Emergency Landing Facility (airstrip) in Shahjahanpur district.
The expressway serves as a backbone for a network including the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Jewar Link Expressway, Farrukhabad Link Expressway, and a proposed extension from Meerut to Haridwar.
Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024: Andhra Pradesh to Commission ₹3,000 Crore Solar Project
Key Updates:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the commissioning of a 600 MW solar power project under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024.
The project has been developed with a total investment of ₹3,000 crore in the Rayalaseema region of the state.
Sustainable & Affordable Energy For Life (SAEL) completed the development of the solar power project in a record timeframe of 11 months.
The mega solar power project is scheduled to be inaugurated at Jammalamadugu in the Kadapa district on 22 May.
The Andhra Pradesh government aims to attract ₹10 lakh crore in green energy investments to position the state as the clean energy capital of India.
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Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy: Target Net-Zero by 2047 (End of April)▼
A delegation led by Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) Chairman C. Divakar Reddy presented the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy at the World Climate Cities Forum in Yeosu, South Korea.
The World Climate Cities Forum was organised as part of the Korea Green Transition Week.
The policy envisions transforming Andhra Pradesh into a global clean energy hub.
The state government aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2047.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves ₹40,175.33 crore for Kamala and Kalai-II Hydropower Projects in Arunachal Pradesh (Mid of April)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a total investment of ₹40,175.33 crore for the construction of two hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
The 1,720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project (HEP) will be developed in Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Kurung Kumey districts with an outlay of ₹26,069.50 crore.
The Kamala HEP will be implemented through a joint venture between NHPC Ltd (NHPC) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The 1,200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project will be developed on the Lohit river in Anjaw district with an outlay of ₹14,105.83 crore.
The Kalai-II project will be developed through a joint venture between THDC India Ltd (THDC) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Government of India will provide central financial assistance of ₹750 crore towards the state’s equity share for each of the two projects.
Arunachal Pradesh will receive 12 per cent free power from both projects along with an additional 1 per cent for the Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
The Kamala HEP is expected to generate 6,870 million units (MU) of energy, while the Kalai-II project is expected to generate 4,852.95 MU annually.
Other hydropower projects being developed by NHPC in the region include Subansiri Lower (2,000 MW), Dibang Multipurpose (2,880 MW), and Etalin (3,097 MW).
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 tenure likely extension to 12 years
Key Updates:
The government is considering extending the tenure of the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to 12 years.
The current tenure of the ISM is five years.
The extension is intended to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and supply chains.
The mission aims to develop domestic Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as suppliers for the world's largest semiconductor companies.
The extended timeline for incentives is designed to align with the longer gestation periods and handholding required for companies supplying raw materials to chip manufacturing and packaging units.
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Tata Electronics and ASML sign MoU for Semiconductor Manufacturing in India (Mid of May)▼
Tata Electronics Ltd and ASML signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 16, 2026, to advance the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India.
ASML will support the establishment and ramp-up of Tata Electronics' upcoming 300 mm (12-inch) semiconductor fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat.
The Dholera facility involves a planned total investment of $11 billion to manufacture semiconductors for automotive, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
The collaboration focuses on the deployment of ASML's lithography tools, local talent development, supply chain resilience, and research infrastructure.
Tata Electronics has partnered with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) to access a technology portfolio comprising 28nm, 40nm, 55nm, 90nm, and 110nm.
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 to Retain Pari Passu Model with ₹76,000 Crore Outlay (Start of May)▼
The Government of India will retain the pari passu model for the upcoming phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, where government incentives are released in proportion to a company’s own capital expenditure.
The first phase of the mission, ISM 1.0, was launched in 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore, and cumulative investment commitments reached ₹1.64 lakh crore by May 5, 2026, surpassing the original target of ₹1.60 lakh crore.
Under the ISM, the Centre provides 50 per cent fiscal support for project costs, which is disbursed step-by-step as firms invest their own funds rather than being front-loaded.
The Union Cabinet has approved two additional projects by Crystal Matrix Limited and Suchi Semicon, bringing the total number of sanctioned projects under the mission to 12.
The approved projects include the country’s first commercial mini/micro-LED display facility using gallium nitride (GaN) technology and a semiconductor packaging unit, both to be established in Gujarat.
Rajasthan's first semiconductor chip packaging facility inaugurated in Bhiwadi (Mid of May)▼
Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the state's first semiconductor plant and a new Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.
The Semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility of Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd. is India's first Small and Medium Enterprise-led unit to begin commercial production of semiconductor chips, set up with an investment of over ₹150 crore under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) SPECS scheme.
Spread across 57,000 square feet, the facility includes Class 10K and 100K cleanrooms and has an annual packaging capacity of 60 million semiconductor units, with plans to scale up to 400–600 million units annually over the next two to three years.
More than 60 per cent of its production is already being exported to markets including the United States, Germany, France, Eastern Europe, China and Nepal.
The Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) developed by ELCINA over 50.3 acres with a project cost of ₹46.09 crore (₹20.24 crore central support) has attracted planned investments of over ₹1,200 crore from 20 companies; operating companies include Aisan Fiem Industries, E-Pack Durable, Sahasra Electronics and Electronics Sector Skill Council of India.
3D Glass Solutions establishes India's first 3D semiconductor packaging unit in Odisha (End of April)▼
The foundation stone for India's first advanced 3D semiconductor packaging unit was laid at Info Valley in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The project is developed by 3D Glass Solutions with an investment of nearly ₹2,000 crore.
The facility is expected to produce 70,000 glass panels annually and millions of advanced semiconductor units.
Commercial production is expected to begin by 2028, with full-scale operations targeted by 2030.
The initiative is part of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
The unit will cater to sectors including data centres, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, telecommunications, automotive technologies, aerospace, and defence systems.
Fuel Blends up to E30 Standards to Reduce Crude Oil Imports
Key Updates:
The government notified new standards for higher ethanol-petrol blends, specifically E22, E25, E27, and E30, to enable blending beyond the current 20% level.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published the specifications on May 15 for fuel blends created by mixing anhydrous ethanol with motor gasoline for petrol-powered vehicles.
The petroleum ministry has tasked the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to conduct a detailed study on the impact of E25 blending on vehicles currently compliant with E10 and E20.
Fully E20-compliant vehicles are expected to enter the market only after April 2025.
The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) stated that the move will advance the ethanol blending programme and reduce dependence on crude oil imports.
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Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) III Norms to Regulate Vehicle Fuel Efficiency (Mid of May)▼
The government is expected to notify the final Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) III norms by the end of May 2026.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is updating the compliance formula to shift the reference fuel from E20 to E25/E27 to align with India's ethanol roadmap.
The CAFE III norms are scheduled for implementation starting from April 1, 2027.
The framework aims to reduce dependence on imported crude, expand ethanol usage, and accelerate the adoption of cleaner technologies.
The norms will determine compliance credits for battery electric vehicles, strong hybrids, and flex-fuel technologies.
Indian automakers are preparing distinct strategies: Maruti Suzuki plans ethanol-compatible technology for high-volume models, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is combining flex-fuel engines with strong hybrids, and Tata Motors intends to launch flex-fuel technology around late 2026 or early 2027.
Ministry of Finance (MoF) revises export tax rates on petroleum products (Mid of May)▼
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has introduced a new special additional excise duty (SAED) structure for petroleum product exports.
Petrol exports now attract an SAED of ₹3 per litre.
The export duty on diesel has been reduced to ₹16.5 per litre, following previous rates of ₹21.50 on March 26, ₹55.5 on April 11, and ₹23 on April 30.
The export duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) now stands at ₹16 per litre, having previously been set at ₹29.5, ₹42, and ₹33.
The MoF has reduced the road and infrastructure cess on both petrol and diesel exports to zero.
Nigeria Introduces Green Tax Surcharge on High-Emission Vehicles (End of April)▼
Nigeria's Finance Minister Wale Edun signed a circular on April 1, 2026, to introduce a green tax surcharge on vehicles, effective from July 1.
The tax is imposed on vehicles with engine capacities of 2,000 cc and above, with a 2 per cent tax for 2,000 cc to 3,999 cc and 4 per cent for 4,000 cc and above.
Exemptions from the green tax are provided for vehicles with engine sizes below 2,000 cc, mass transit buses, electric vehicles (EVs), and locally manufactured vehicles.
Import tariffs on fully built passenger vehicles have been reduced from 70 per cent to 40 per cent within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) common external tariff (CET) structure.
A 90-day grace period has been granted to manufacturers, importers, and service providers for the transition to the new fiscal measures.
Nigeria has imposed a 5 per cent fuel surcharge on petrol and diesel since January 1.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria's passenger car imports increased to Naira 1.58 trillion.
Under its Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), Nigeria commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 29 per cent by 2030 and 32 per cent by 2035 compared to 2018 levels.
Nigeria has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
The transport sector is identified as having a mitigation potential of 44.3 Mt CO2e through the adoption of clean vehicles.
Other national initiatives include a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme, removal of fuel subsidies, and a ban on the import of polluting two-stroke engines.
E20 Petrol Mandate: Nationwide 20% Ethanol-Blended Fuel Roll-Out from 1 April 2025 (Start of April)▼
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) directed that from 1 April 2025 all petrol pumps nationwide must supply E20 petrol containing up to 20% ethanol.
E20 petrol has an octane rating of about 95 RON compared to regular petrol’s 91–92 RON, allowing smoother combustion.
Ethanol for E20 is domestically produced from crops such as sugarcane, maize, and grains, helping cut fuel import costs and support farmers.
Most newer vehicles are E20-compatible, while older vehicles may experience slight drops in fuel efficiency and potential long-term wear on engine components.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality standards apply to E20 fuel across all regions.
Ministry of Education and NIOS Initiative to Re-enrol 2 Crore Dropout Students
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Education (MoE) convened a high-level meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Sanjay Kumar, to reintegrate over two crore dropout children into the schooling system.
Citing the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the MoE noted that more than two crore children between the ages of 14 and 18 are currently not enrolled in any school.
The initiative aims to provide access to senior secondary education paired with employable skills through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) frameworks of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and State Open Schools.
The operational blueprint for the programme includes the systematic identification of out-of-school children, deployment of trained facilitators, and the use of app-based monitoring tools.
In the first phase, the initiative will be piloted across 10 districts in Odisha, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi.
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Aftercare Scheme for Young Persons: Support for youth exiting childcare institutions (Mid of May)▼
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Aftercare Scheme for Young Persons at Village Cottage Home in Lajpat Nagar to assist youth leaving childcare institutions and orphanages after turning 18.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive assistance for higher education, skill development, vocational training, mentoring, counselling, career guidance, rehabilitation support, independent living assistance, emergency support, internships, employment opportunities at government institutions, financial support, and a monthly stipend.
The Delhi government approved the scheme under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The scheme will be overseen by a state aftercare committee, headed by the Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, and district aftercare committees, headed by respective District Magistrates.
Delhi currently has 88 Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and two aftercare homes, one for boys and one for girls, to support the transition of young adults toward independent living.
Supreme Court seeks Centre and states' response on PIL over RTE Act and NEP 2020 implementation. (Mid of April)▼
Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to Centre, all states and Union Territories on PIL by advocate Haripriya Patel.
PIL alleges uneven implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act across states since its enactment over a decade ago.
Petition highlights disparities in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 rollout with states following different timelines and approaches.
Plea urges bringing pre-primary education within enforceable ambit of RTE Act to ensure foundational learning rights.
India becomes Bangladesh's second-largest trading partner in February 2026
Key Updates:
India emerged as the second-largest trading partner of Bangladesh by February 2026, marginally surpassing the United States (US).
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), India accounted for 8.47 per cent or Tk 123.28 billion of the total external trade of Bangladesh.
China retained its position as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh, representing 21.21 per cent of the total trade, equivalent to Tk 308.79 billion.
Imports from India to Bangladesh primarily consist of essential commodities such as rice, onions, sugar, cotton, yarn, and industrial raw materials.
Indonesia and Brazil were ranked as the fourth and fifth-largest trading partners of Bangladesh respectively during the month of February.
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India and Brazil sign agreement on critical minerals and rare earths in New Delhi on 21 February 2026 (End of February)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a landmark agreement to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
The agreement aims to build resilient supply chains for minerals used in electric vehicles, solar panels, smartphones, jet engines, and guided missiles to reduce dependence on China.
Brazil is the world's second-largest holder of critical minerals and the second-largest producer and exporter of iron ore after Australia.
A total of 10 agreements were signed, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering digital cooperation and health.
The leaders set a target to increase bilateral trade beyond $20 billion within the next five years, noting that Brazil is currently India's largest trading partner in Latin America.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Indian exports to Brazil reached $7.23 billion in 2024, with refined petroleum as the main export.
Brazilian exports to India totalled $5.38 billion in 2024, with raw sugar being the primary export commodity.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service reports Brazil as largest corn exporter to Bangladesh (End of April)▼
Brazil has overtaken India as the top supplier of corn to Bangladesh.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service reported that Brazil accounted for 78 per cent of Bangladesh's total corn imports till February in the 2025-26 marketing year.
India and the United States (US) each held 11 per cent of Bangladesh's corn imports during the same period.
Bangladesh imported nearly 1.5 million tonnes (mt) of corn till February in the 2025-26 marketing year.
The USDA pegged Bangladesh's total corn imports for the 2025-26 marketing year at 1.8 mt, which is 27.2 per cent higher than the previous year.
In calendar 2022, India exported 3.55 mt of maize, of which Bangladesh accounted for 1.82 mt.
India's maize exports to Bangladesh decreased to over 0.55 mt in 2023, 16,266 tonnes in 2024, and 11,991 tonnes in 2025.
The US exported approximately 160,000 tonnes of corn to Bangladesh in the 2025-26 marketing year, returning to the market after a gap since 2018.
India's maize exports have recently gained traction in Nepal and Vietnam.
India and Vietnam set $25 billion bilateral trade target by 2030 (Start of May)▼
India and Vietnam agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two nations established a bilateral trade target of 25 billion USD to be achieved by 2030.
Investment flows will be expanded across high-technology manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, electric vehicles, and digital services.
Market access was approved for Indian grapes and Vietnamese durians, with commitments to fast-track access for pomegranates and pomelos.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) entered an agreement to facilitate cross-border digital payments using QR-based systems.
Vietnam will host a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) located in Gurugram.
India has implemented 66 quick impact projects across most provinces in Vietnam as part of its development partnership.
Commerce Department data shows China overtakes Netherlands as India’s third-largest export market (End of March)▼
China became India’s third-largest export destination in February, overtaking the Netherlands.
Exports to China grew 32.4 per cent to $1.67 billion in February, mainly due to a low base.
Exports to the Netherlands fell sharply by 31.3 per cent to $1.29 billion in February.
The United States (US) remained India’s largest export destination, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Shipments to the US declined nearly 13 per cent year-on-year to $6.89 billion in February.
Exports to the UAE dipped marginally by 0.3 per cent to $3.25 billion in February.
Exports to Germany and Hong Kong grew by 4 per cent and 32.1 per cent, respectively, in February.
Overall merchandise exports declined 0.81 per cent year-on-year to $36.61 billion in February.
Exports to seven of India’s top 10 destinations contracted during February.
Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September
Key Updates:
Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September.
India, as the chair of the BRICS, will host the annual summit of the grouping in September.
President Putin last visited India in December 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
The BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Indonesia joining the collective in 2025.
The 11-member BRICS represents around 49.5 per cent of the global population, 40 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 26 per cent of global trade.
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India hosts BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi in May 2026 (Mid of May)▼
India assumed the BRICS Chairmanship on January 1, 2026, and hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi.
India's trade with BRICS nations surged to $416 billion.
India advocated for the reform of the United Nations (UN), specifically calling for an expanded Security Council.
Dr. Bhaskar Jyoti Sonowal from Assam was elected president of the BRICS Entrepreneurs Alliance (BEA) Global Forum for the 2026-27 term.
India is scheduled to host the BEA Global Summit in November 2026.
India hosts BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 14-15 May 2026 (Mid of May)▼
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.
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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit Delhi on 14-15 May for BRICS foreign ministers meeting (Start of April)▼
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit New Delhi on 14-15 May to attend the BRICS foreign ministers meeting.
The meeting will finalise the general outlines of the documents to be submitted to the BRICS summit under India’s 2026 presidency.
Lavrov will hold a separate working visit to meet External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials.
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completes final trials of ULPGM-V3 on 19 May 2026
Key Updates:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3.
The trials were conducted in Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at the Kurnool test range in Andhra Pradesh using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS).
The ULPGM-V3 is designed for anti-tank roles in Air-to-Ground mode and for targeting drones, helicopters, and other airborne targets in Air-to-Air mode.
The missile was developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) as the nodal lab, alongside the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) Chandigarh, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune.
Production partners for the system include Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) Hyderabad and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited Hyderabad, with integration on UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies Bengaluru.
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Indian Army receives indigenous kamikaze drones and precision munitions on May 12, 2026 (Mid of May)▼
The Indian Army received the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Munition (ULPGM) and AGNIKAA VTOL-1 First-Person View (FPV) Kamikaze Drone under emergency procurement (EP-6).
Both combat systems were designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Adani Defence & Aerospace.
The ULPGM is a loitering munition featuring a 2-kg warhead and a 1-metre circular error probable (CEP) accuracy for destroying soft and hard targets.
The AGNIKAA VTOL-1 drone has an endurance of 30 minutes, a speed of 60 km/h, and the capability to operate in GPS-denied and electronic warfare environments.
Adani Defence & Aerospace handed over these indigenous systems to the Western Command of the Indian Army after successful high-altitude and electronic warfare trials.
DRDO announces readiness for Agni VI ballistic missile and hypersonic glide missile programme on April 30, 2026 (Start of May)▼
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat confirmed that the Agni VI missile project is ready to begin once the Centre grants approval.
Agni VI is a proposed next-generation, nuclear-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of 6,000–10,000 km and advanced MIRV technology.
DRDO is making strong progress on the hypersonic glide missile (LR AShM) and initial trials are expected soon.
DRDO is working on two hypersonic programmes: the Hypersonic Glide Missile and the Hypersonic Cruise Missile.
The Pralay short-range ballistic missile system is in its final testing stages and could join the armed forces soon.
DRDO successfully completes three VSHORADS flight-trials in Chandipur, Odisha (Start of March)▼
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted three flight-trials of the indigenously developed VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System) from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.
The missile system is intended to meet the requirements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
All missiles intercepted and destroyed high-speed aerial targets mimicking enemy aircraft in various threat scenarios.
Tests were carried out in final deployment configuration with target acquisition and missile firing by field operators.
Flight data collected by Telemetry, Electro-Optical Tracking System, and Radars at ITR, Chandipur, confirmed VSHORADS effectiveness against a broad spectrum of aerial threats.
User validation trials were witnessed by Joint Forces representatives and senior DRDO and industry officials.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry, stating the system can soon be inducted.
India tests Sheshnaag-150 long-range swarm-attack drone with 1,000 km range (Mid of March)▼
Sheshnaag-150 is a long-range swarm-attack drone under development by Bengaluru-based Newspace Research Technologies.
The drone made its maiden flight about a year ago and is currently undergoing testing and development.
It has an operational range of over 1,000 km and can remain airborne for more than five hours.
The platform can carry warheads weighing between 25 kg and 40 kg for precision strikes on infrastructure, vehicles or personnel.
Development gained urgency after Operation Sindoor when the Indian military asked the company to accelerate work on indigenous long-range swarming strike capability.
The drone operates as part of a coordinated swarm-attack system using proprietary control software that enables autonomous target identification, tracking and engagement with minimal human supervision.
Sheshnaag-150 is designed to function even in GPS-denied environments and is likely to adopt a visual navigation system to counter satellite signal jamming.
India and Italy elevate ties to Special Strategic Partnership on 20 May 2026
Key Updates:
India and Italy upgraded bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership and set a target to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.
Both nations reaffirmed support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and planned a ministerial meeting in 2026.
The leaders launched INNOVIT India, an innovation hub for collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, healthcare, logistics, and fintech.
A Defence Industrial Roadmap was adopted for the co-development and co-production of helicopters, naval systems, and electronic warfare.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Italian Space Agency will expand cooperation in Earth observation, heliophysics, and space exploration.
Agreements were signed on critical minerals, agriculture, maritime transport, and ports, with investment pledges in automotive, semiconductors, clean technology, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, infrastructure, and critical minerals.
The joint declaration condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and discussed mechanisms to facilitate the movement of Indian nurses to Italy.
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India and Sweden Upgrade Bilateral Ties to Strategic Partnership on 17 May 2026 (Mid of May)▼
India and Sweden agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Prime Minister Modi was awarded the 'Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross' in recognition of his contribution to the India-Sweden relationship.
Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.
The two leaders discussed cooperation in trade and investment, technology and innovation, green transition, space, emerging technologies, defence and security, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), research, and people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Modi met Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of Maersk, to discuss investments in port infrastructure, logistics, green shipping, and skilled mobility.
India and Norway elevate ties to Green Strategic Partnership, sign pacts on space, health, and digital development on May 18, 2026 (Mid of May)▼
India and Norway elevated bilateral ties to a 'Green Strategic Partnership' after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo on May 18, 2026, focusing on clean energy, climate resilience, Blue Economy, and Green Shipping.
An MoU was signed between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Norwegian Space Agency to enhance cooperation in the space sector.
The two nations concluded a Triangular Development Cooperation Agreement to use India's Digital Public Infrastructure projects for human development in countries of the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi was conferred the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.
This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in over 40 years; the last such visit was by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1983.
India and Italy Strengthen Space Cooperation at Space Meetings Veneto 2026 (Mid of May)▼
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) led a delegation of nine space-tech companies to the Space Meetings Veneto 2026 held in Venice, Italy.
The participating Indian companies included Astrogate Labs, Astrobase Space Technologies, VyomIC, Suhora, Kepler Aerospace, Hyspace Technologies, TakeMe2Space, Jarbits Pvt Ltd, and Dhruva Space.
Karnataka-based Astrobase Space Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italy’s Impulso Space to explore launch opportunities and integrated mission management.
Kepler Aerospace signed a framework agreement with Apogeo Space to expand Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) infrastructure and collaborate on CubeSat systems and payload technologies.
The engagement is part of the 2025–2029 India–Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan announced during the G20 Summit in 2024 to deepen commercial space cooperation.
India and Italy strengthen defence ties; Rajnath Singh meets Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto, exchange Military Cooperation Plan (Start of May)▼
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in New Delhi and exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan (MCP) for 2026-27.
The meeting was held at the Manekshaw Centre and focused on enhancing military engagements and expanding defence industrial cooperation between India and Italy.
Both ministers reaffirmed that the India-Italy Strategic Partnership is rooted in shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that the newly exchanged MCP outlines a roadmap for structured military interactions between the armed forces of both nations over the next year.
Earlier in the day, Guido Crosetto paid tribute to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial and was accorded a ceremonial tri-service Guard of Honour at the Manekshaw Centre.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit India from May 23-26
Key Updates:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will undertake a four-day visit to India from May 23-26 to further cooperation in trade, defence, and energy.
The visit will include travel to the cities of Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi.
Secretary Rubio will hold meetings with senior Indian officials to discuss security, trade, energy, and defence cooperation.
In July 2025, Rubio hosted counterparts of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) to establish the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative to secure and diversify supply chains.
India recently hosted foreign ministers of BRICS nations, including Sergei Lavrov of Russia and Abbas Araghchi of Iran.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to visit India from Feb 18-22 (End of February)▼
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will undertake a five-day visit to India from 18 to 22 February.
He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 February and review the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
President Lula will participate in the AI Impact Summit in India from 19 to 20 February.
He will be accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies.
The accompanying ministers will have meetings with their Indian counterparts and the CEOs will participate in a business forum during the visit.
This will be President Lula's sixth visit to India; his first visit was in 2004 as Guest of Honour for Republic Day and his last visit was for the G20 Summit in September 2023.
India and Brazil share a Strategic Partnership since 2006 and Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung conducts three-day state visit to India on 19 April 2026 (End of April)▼
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in India for a three-day state visit, the first by a South Korean leader in over eight years.
The visit aims to advance the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership, a status elevated in 2015.
President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June 2025, will hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.
The bilateral talks will focus on expanding cooperation in semiconductors, defence production, green energy, trade, and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The South Korean President is scheduled to attend a business forum at Bharat Mandapam and meet President Droupadi Murmu.
The Special Strategic Partnership between New Delhi and Seoul covers cooperation in manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, and defence.
Prime Minister Modi to undertake week-long Europe visit from around May 18, likely to meet Pope (Start of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a week-long visit to Europe from around May 18, with a possible stop at the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope.
Modi will first visit Norway to participate in the third India-Nordic summit in Oslo alongside leaders from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.
The India-Nordic summit is expected to focus on green energy, climate change, blue economy, innovation, digitalisation, and Arctic cooperation.
Modi is also likely to visit the Netherlands (key partner in water management, agriculture, technology, semiconductor industry) and Italy for his first bilateral visit (discussions on defence, energy, investment, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor).
In mid-June, Modi will visit France for the G7 Outreach summit.
India to host BRICS senior officials meeting bringing Iran and UAE together (Mid of April)▼
India is hosting a BRICS senior officials meeting under its BRICS presidency that will see Iran and the UAE face to face for the first time since the West Asian conflict.
The meeting agenda covers broader West Asian and North African issues including Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are all BRICS members.
BRICS could not issue a statement on the war earlier as consensus eluded it due to differences between Iran and UAE.
Egypt, a BRICS member and India's strategic partner, is assisting India to hold the meeting and subsequent events including the foreign ministers' meet in May and the summit in September.
Russian support has also been extended to India's BRICS Presidency.
United States Senate advances War Powers Resolution regarding military force against Iran on 20 May 2026
Key Updates:
The United States Senate passed a procedural measure to advance a War Powers Resolution to prevent President Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without congressional authorisation.
The procedural vote to advance the resolution was passed by a margin of 50 to 47.
The war on Iran was launched by the United States and Israel in late February.
Under a 1973 US war powers law, a president can wage military action for only 60 days before requiring congressional authorisation or a 30-day extension.
To survive a presidential veto, the resolution must pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and secure two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate.
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United States pauses 'Project Freedom' initiative in the Strait of Hormuz (Start of May)▼
The United States (US) launched 'Project Freedom', a humanitarian initiative designed to guide commercial ships stranded by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas pass.
Approximately 22,500 mariners on 1,550 commercial vessels from 87 countries were reported trapped in the Gulf.
US Central Command (Centcom) deployed guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members to support the operation.
The initiative was paused by President Donald Trump at the request of Pakistan, which is serving as the intermediary in negotiations between the US and Iran.
India and Iran hold talks in New Delhi on 15 May 2026 to discuss West Asia tensions and bilateral issues (Mid of May)▼
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi on 15 May 2026.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being hosted under India’s 2026 chairship.
Jaishankar and Araghchi discussed the evolving situation in West Asia, regional security concerns, and bilateral issues of mutual interest.
Jaishankar addressed the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday, underlining concerns over the fragile security environment in West Asia, risks to maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure.
Araghchi urged the international community to condemn violations of international law by the United States and Israel, alleging Iran had been subjected to 'brutal and unlawful aggression'.
Russia and China veto UN Security Council resolution on Strait of Hormuz security (Start of April)▼
The UN Security Council (UNSC) failed to adopt a resolution on boosting security in the Strait of Hormuz after Russia and China exercised their veto on 7 April 2026.
Eleven countries voted in favour, Colombia and Pakistan abstained, and permanent members China and Russia voted against the draft resolution.
The draft was submitted by Bahrain together with Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The draft resolution encouraged States to coordinate defensive efforts to ensure safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and demanded Iran immediately cease all attacks on shipping.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani stated that the Council’s failure to adopt the resolution sends the wrong signal that threats to international waterways can pass without decisive action.
United States Ambassador Mike Waltz declared that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be held hostage and must not be weaponized by any one State.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticised the draft for presenting Iranian actions as the sole source of tensions while omitting illegal attacks by the United States and Israel.
Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said the draft failed to capture the root causes and the full picture of the conflict comprehensively and in a balanced manner.
Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani claimed the draft sought to punish Iran for defending its sovereignty while providing cover for further unlawful acts by aggressors.
The UNSC comprises 15 members, of which 5 permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—hold veto power.
UN Security Council postpones vote on Strait of Hormuz defensive force resolution (Start of April)▼
The UN Security Council (UNSC) postponed a scheduled Friday vote on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain to authorise defensive force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.
The postponement was due to the United Nations observing Good Friday as a public holiday.
No new date for the vote has been announced, though it is now expected on Saturday.
Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the UNSC, submitted the draft resolution.
The final draft authorises countries to use all defensive means necessary in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters for at least six months to secure passage and deter interference with international navigation.
Russia, China and France, all veto-wielding members of the 15-member UNSC, had expressed opposition to approving the use of force.
India and Republic of Korea sign strategic defence MoU on 20 May 2026
Key Updates:
India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 20 May 2026 to enhance cooperation in defence, cyber, and defence information.
The agreement was signed in Seoul by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and ROK Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-Back.
The MoU focuses on countering evolving cyber threats, protecting critical military infrastructure, sharing digital defence best practices, and enhancing institutional mechanisms for information sharing.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Seoul National Cemetery to pay tribute to South Korean servicemen and women.
The visit to South Korea from 19 May to 21 May 2026 was the second leg of a tour that included an official visit to Vietnam from 18 May to 19 May 2026.
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South Korea and India hold summit in New Delhi to boost economic ties (End of April)▼
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited New Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This is the first South Korean presidential state visit to India in eight years.
The two countries are seeking to improve their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The bilateral trade target is to nearly double to $50 billion by 2030, up from $25.7 billion last year.
Key areas for cooperation include shipbuilding, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, finance, and defence.
South Korea requested India to expand naphtha supplies to mitigate potential disruptions caused by Middle East tensions.
India accounted for approximately 8% of South Korea's naphtha imports last year.
According to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), South Korea had a trade surplus of $12.8 billion last year, with exports worth $19.2 billion and imports of $6.4 billion.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung conducts three-day state visit to India on 19 April 2026 (End of April)▼
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in India for a three-day state visit, the first by a South Korean leader in over eight years.
The visit aims to advance the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership, a status elevated in 2015.
President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June 2025, will hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.
The bilateral talks will focus on expanding cooperation in semiconductors, defence production, green energy, trade, and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The South Korean President is scheduled to attend a business forum at Bharat Mandapam and meet President Droupadi Murmu.
The Special Strategic Partnership between New Delhi and Seoul covers cooperation in manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, and defence.
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.
India and South Korea sign 16 MoUs on 20 April 2026 to enhance trade and technology ties (End of April)▼
India and South Korea signed 16 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on 20 April 2026, focusing on e-mobility, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The two nations aim to double bilateral trade from $27 billion to $54 billion by 2030, targeting an annual growth rate of approximately 18 per cent.
Priority sectors identified for cooperation include semiconductors, electronics, e-mobility, green energy, shipbuilding, and digital trade.
An India-Korea Industrial Cooperation Committee has been established with four working groups covering trade, industry, strategic resources, and clean energy.
Both countries are working to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was originally signed in 2009.
The partnership envisions the establishment of a Korea-specific industrial township in India with plug-and-play infrastructure to boost investment.
Cooperation was established under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to enable carbon market collaboration through the trading of emission reductions.
India and South Korea reiterated their respective net-zero targets of 2070 and 2050.
Diplomatic relations between India and South Korea were established in 1973.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States is almost finalised.
Venezuela to release 300 prisoners under amnesty law by May 22, 2026
Key Updates:
Venezuela is releasing 300 prisoners between May 19 and May 22, 2026, under an amnesty law aimed at freeing political detainees.
The amnesty law was adopted in February as part of reforms by interim leader Delcy Rodriguez following the United States (US) ouster of Nicolas Maduro in January.
The release process includes minors, individuals over 70 years old, persons with medical conditions, and former police officials linked to the April 2002 overthrow of Hugo Chavez.
On May 19, 2026, 16 political prisoners accused of offenses in the oil industry were released.
The interior ministry stated that over 8,000 people have benefited from the amnesty, including 314 released from prison and others granted freedom after parole.
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Jose Maria Balcazar Appointed Interim President of Peru (End of February)▼
Peru’s Congress elected Jose Maria Balcazar as the interim president of the country, succeeding Jose Jeri following his removal from office.
Balcazar is an 83-year-old former judge and professor who represents the left-wing Peru Libre (Free Peru) party.
He secured the presidency by obtaining 60 votes out of 113 cast in the second round of voting in the Congress.
His interim tenure is scheduled to last for 53 days until the national elections are held on 12 April 2026.
Balcazar has been a member of the Congress since 2021 and previously served as a provisional member of the Supreme Court of Peru.
He becomes the ninth president of Peru in the last decade, a period marked by the impeachment of four presidents and the resignation of two others.
The National Board of Justice (CNM) had previously conducted disciplinary hearings regarding Balcazar’s judicial term on the high court’s bench.
The outgoing president, Jose Jeri, was impeached following allegations of influence-peddling and misconduct in a scandal known as Chifagate.
Spain bars US warplanes involved in Iran war from its airspace and bases (Start of April)▼
Spain has closed its airspace to United States (US) aircraft participating in attacks on Iran.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated that Madrid will not authorise the use of Morón and Rota military bases for any acts related to the war in Iran.
Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares said the decision aims to avoid encouraging escalation in the war.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described US and Israeli attacks on Iran as reckless and illegal.
Spain denied every US flight plan related to operations in Iran, including those of refuelling aircraft.
US bombers involved in Iran operations are stationed at RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom (UK).
Aircraft must bypass Spanish airspace by flying over the eastern Atlantic or France.
Spanish newspaper El País reported that US aircraft may transit or land in Spain only in emergencies.
The Iranian embassy in Spain indicated Tehran would consider Spanish transit requests through the Strait of Hormuz due to Spain’s commitment to international law.
Around 20% of global oil supply normally transits the Strait of Hormuz.
United Nations Observes International Day for the Right to the Truth on 24 March 2026 (End of March)▼
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims on 21 December 2010.
The observance commemorates Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, a human rights defender in El Salvador who was murdered on 24 March 1980.
The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the coup d’état in Argentina, which initiated a military junta dictatorship lasting from 1976 to 1983.
The Joinet/Orentlicher Principles, formally known as the Updated Set of Principles for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights through Action to Combat Impunity, define the right to truth as an inalienable right.
Historical truth-seeking bodies include the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP) established in Argentina in 1984 and the Commission for the Clarification of Truth in Colombia in 2017.
The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence is Bernard Duhaime.
The UN Special Rapporteur is preparing a report on negationism, revisionism, and politicization for the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
A report regarding emerging technologies in the context of transitional justice will be submitted for the 81st session of the UNGA.
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members observed on 25 March 2026 (End of March)▼
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members on 25 March 2026.
In 2025, 179 UN personnel were arrested or detained.
As of the observance date, 118 UN colleagues remain in detention.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the call for the immediate release and safe return of unlawfully detained staff.
PM Modi and US President Trump expected to meet at G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France from June 15-17, 2026
Key Updates:
French President Emmanuel Macron invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 Summit during his official visit to India from February 17-19, 2026.
The G7 Summit is scheduled to be held in Evian-les-Bains, located in the French Alps, from June 15 to 17, 2026.
US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the summit; his last meeting with PM Modi took place on February 13, 2025 at the White House.
The G7 member nations are the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada; the European Union also participates in the summit.
According to a senior White House official, no formal signed agreements are expected; the focus will be on building consensus on artificial intelligence, trade, and global efforts to tackle crime.
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India withdraws offer to host COP33 climate summit in 2028 (Start of April)▼
India is no longer inclined to host the COP33 climate meeting in 2028, according to official sources.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had offered to host COP33 during the COP28 meeting in Dubai in December 2023.
A COP33 cell was set up under the Climate Change division in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) last year to prepare for hosting the event.
COP33 is scheduled to carry out the second Global Stocktake (GST) to assess progress on the Paris Agreement target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 or 2 degree Celsius.
The first GST was held at COP28 in Dubai in 2023.
As host and President, India would be expected to champion the global climate cause, potentially conflicting with its national positions on climate issues.
India hosts BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi in May 2026 (Mid of May)▼
India assumed the BRICS Chairmanship on January 1, 2026, and hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi.
India's trade with BRICS nations surged to $416 billion.
India advocated for the reform of the United Nations (UN), specifically calling for an expanded Security Council.
Dr. Bhaskar Jyoti Sonowal from Assam was elected president of the BRICS Entrepreneurs Alliance (BEA) Global Forum for the 2026-27 term.
India is scheduled to host the BEA Global Summit in November 2026.
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.
India to host 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31 (Start of May)▼
India will host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31, marking the first such event in a decade.
The theme of the summit is 'India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation (IA SPIRIT)'.
The main summit will be followed by the Big Cat Alliance summit, which is expected to see participation from around 10 African countries.
Africa is currently the second-largest recipient of India's overseas development partnership support.
India has extended over 190 lines of credit (LoCs) amounting to over $10 billion to 41 African countries.
India has completed 20 projects worth $4.5 billion in priority sectors: power, water supply, agriculture, transport, rural electrification, and digital connectivity.
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completes trials of ULPGM-V3 missile on 20 May 2026
Key Updates:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes.
The trials were conducted at the DRDO test range near Kurnool using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS).
The ULPGM-V3 is designed for anti-tank operations in air-to-ground mode and for targeting drones, helicopters, and other airborne targets in air-to-air mode.
The missile system was integrated with unmanned aerial vehicles developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies, based in Bengaluru.
The missile was developed by the Research Centre Imarat as the nodal laboratory, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.
DRDO partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence & Aerospace for production and manufacturing.
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India conducts maiden test of nuclear-capable ICBM off Odisha coast on 9 May 2026 (Mid of May)▼
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden test of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off the coast of Odisha.
The Agni-6 missile possesses a strike range of over 10,000 km and utilizes Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
The development of ICBM technology demonstrates mastery in re-entry technology, guidance systems, and complex rocket propulsion.
DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) jointly conducted the first flight-trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation weapon off the Odisha coast.
The Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation weapon is an indigenous modular range extension kit used to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons.
United States tests Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base (Start of March)▼
The United States Air Force Global Strike Command launched an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time on 3 March from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
The missile, designated GT 255, carried two test re-entry vehicles that traveled thousands of miles to a pre-determined target at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
The test launch was scheduled years in advance and was not conducted in response to current world events, according to the Office of Public Affairs of the Air Force Global Strike Command.
The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a silo-launched, surface-attack intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of more than 9,650 kilometers and a speed of approximately 24,000 kilometers per hour at burnout.
The current force structure comprises 400 Minuteman III missiles assigned across three missile wings: the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming; the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana; and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
The Air Force plans to replace the Minuteman III with the LGM-35A Sentinel to modernize the land-based leg of the US nuclear triad.
Russia tests RS-28 Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile on 13 May 2026 (Mid of May)▼
Russia successfully tested the RS-28 Sarmat, a heavy Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) designed to replace the Soviet-era R-36M2 Voyevoda.
The RS-28 Sarmat, dubbed 'Satan II' by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), is a silo-based missile with a launch weight exceeding 208 tonnes and a length of approximately 35 metres.
The missile can carry Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs), including up to 10 heavy or 16 smaller nuclear warheads, and is capable of carrying the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle.
It reaches speeds of up to Mach 20 (approximately 24,000 kmph) during its terminal phase and has a reported range exceeding 18,000 km.
The system utilises inertial navigation supported by the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and began development in 2011.
India's DRDO and Indian Navy conduct maiden Salvo launch of NASM-SR missiles on 29 April 2026 (Start of May)▼
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy conducted the maiden Salvo launch of the Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) off the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha.
The trial involved the launch of two missiles in quick succession from a single helicopter platform.
The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of DRDO, in collaboration with the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau, completed the Hydrodynamic Performance Assessment and Model Testing of a Frontline Indian Naval Ship Project.
The naval ship project testing covered critical parameters including hull hydrodynamic, CFD-based simulation, resistance, propulsion, sea keeping, and manoeuvrability.
Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked and Wheeled), developed by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, were unveiled at the DRDO laboratory in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.
The armoured platforms are integrated with an indigenously developed 30 mm Crewless Turret and a 7.62 mm PKT gun, with the capability to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
The platforms feature STANAG level 4 and 5 protection and are amphibious with hydro jets for improved water obstacle crossing.
The current indigenous content of the armoured platforms is 65%, with plans to increase it to 90%.
India Becomes Second-Largest Global Honey Exporter
Key Updates:
India has risen from the ninth to the second-largest honey exporter globally in five years, exporting over one lakh metric tonnes last year.
The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is supported by an investment of ₹500 crore.
India maintains a stable annual production growth of approximately 5% and a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of US$ 1,400 per metric tonne.
Native pollinator species in India include the Asian rock bee, the Indian honey bee, and stingless bees, the latter of which are critical for tropical plant communities in the Western Ghats.
The Madhukranti portal is used for residue monitoring, while the European Union (EU) banned the outdoor use of three major neonicotinoid insecticides in 2018.
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International Day of Plant Health 2026 focuses on Plant Biosecurity for Food Security (Mid of May)▼
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 Security and Nutrition, highlighting biosecurity as a safety net in agrifood systems.
Opening remarks for the high-level event were delivered by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero via video message.
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat guided the dialogue involving the Ambassadors of Brazil, Mexico, and the United States, and the Director General of the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT.
Plant biosecurity supports the FAO Four Betters by safeguarding production systems, improving nutrition outcomes, conserving ecosystems, and strengthening resilient livelihoods.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Releases People and Nature Report (End of April)▼
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released the People and Nature Report, the first assessment covering World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks.
The report assesses a network of more than 2,260 sites spanning over 13 million square kilometres.
Nearly 90% of UNESCO-designated sites are currently experiencing high levels of environmental stress.
Climate change has impacted 98% of sites since 2000, with extreme heat identified as the most widespread hazard.
Wildfires have emerged as the primary driver of forest change in World Heritage sites, contributing to the loss of over 300,000 sq km of tree cover since 2000.
Invasive species have been recorded in more than 80% of UNESCO-designated sites.
More than a quarter of these sites could reach critical, potentially irreversible tipping points by 2050.
Glacier loss in UNESCO sites has exceeded 2,500 gigatonnes of ice since 2000, with mountain glaciers losing around 9% of their volume.
More than 300 World Heritage sites are facing chronic water stress.
These sites are home to more than 60% of globally mapped species, with approximately 40% being endemic to these areas.
UNESCO sites support nearly one-third of the remaining populations of elephants, tigers, and pandas, as well as critically endangered species including the vaquita, Javan rhino, and pink iguana.
The sites absorb nearly 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and store an estimated 240 gigatonnes of carbon in soils and sediments.
UNESCO-designated sites support the livelihoods of nearly 900 million people and contribute close to 10% of global GDP.
The UNESCO initiative Women for Bees supports sustainable beekeeping in India's Western Ghats.
World Migratory Bird Day observed in May and October with theme Power of Community Science (Mid of May)▼
World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice annually in May and October to align with migration patterns in both hemispheres.
The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2026 is the power of Community Science.
The campaign is coordinated by a network including Environment for the Americas (EFTA), The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership.
The 2026 ambassador species selected to represent global flyways are the American Oystercatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Barn Swallow, Cinnamon Teal, and Merlin.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is currently listed as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) marks 25th Foundation Day with new logo, mobile app and RCO portal launch (Start of March)▼
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 1 March 2026.
Shri Manohar Lal, Cabinet Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, attended as Chief Guest and unveiled the BEE@25 logo.
India has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36% from 2005 levels and achieved 52% non-fossil fuel installed capacity ahead of the 2030 target.
The Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) Portal (http://www.rco.beeindia.gov.in) was launched to strengthen monitoring and compliance under energy efficiency programmes.
The BEE Star Label Mobile Application, developed with CLASP, allows consumers to scan QR codes on star-labelled appliances to access energy performance and compliance details.
Key BEE initiatives include the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE), ADEETIE scheme for MSMEs, Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programme, and Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC).
Scientists Discover Thriving Microbial Ecosystem Beneath Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf
Key Updates:
Researchers discovered a diverse community of microbes living in complete darkness hundreds of metres beneath the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
A 2022 study published in Nature Communications revealed that these microorganisms form a functioning ecosystem independent of sunlight through the process of chemosynthesis.
The dominant organisms in this subglacial cavity include aerobic lithoautotrophic archaea and bacteria that generate energy from ammonium, nitrite, and sulphur compounds.
Scientists utilised advanced molecular methods such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to study the taxonomic characteristics of these unique microbial communities.
The ecosystem also contains endemic viruses that regulate nutrient cycling and population dynamics by infecting chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms.
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Microorganisms Survive Simulated Hostile Martian Conditions in Laboratory Study (Mid of April)▼
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.
Beyond EPICA Project Recovers Earth's Oldest Continuous Ice-Core Record in Antarctica (Mid of May)▼
The Beyond EPICA project aims to retrieve continuous Antarctic ice cores dating back as early as 1.5 million years ago.
The drilling operation is conducted by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) at Little Dome C in East Antarctica.
Since starting in 2021, the project has successfully obtained a continuous ice-core record spanning more than 1.2 million years.
The mission focuses on studying the Mid-Pleistocene Transition by analysing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane trapped in ancient air bubbles.
This initiative follows the EPICA Dome C ice core project, which previously established a climatic record dating back approximately 800,000 years.
Union Government Notifies New Repositories under Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Start of April)▼
The Union Government notified two institutional clusters as designated repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) enabled the notification in consultation with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The newly designated repositories include the Referral Centre Bhavasagara at the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi.
The MACS Collection of Microorganisms and the National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI) at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune were also added to the national network.
Referral Centre Bhavasagara maintains more than 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced voucher specimens focusing on deep-sea biodiversity.
The MACS Collection of Microorganisms specializes in anaerobes and extremophiles, while the NFCCI serves as a dedicated fungal germplasm repository.
The national network of repositories under Section 39 previously consisted of 18 designated institutions before this expansion.
Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, any person discovering a new taxon is required to inform the designated repository and deposit relevant voucher specimens.
The designated institutions are mandated to accept and safeguard holotypes, isotypes, paratypes, and other biological materials to support Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) tracking.
Discovery of Dark Oxygen 4,000 Metres Below the Pacific Ocean (Start of March)▼
Researchers have detected dark oxygen in the deep sea at depths of approximately 4,000 metres, where sunlight does not penetrate.
The discovery was made in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean during research published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
The oxygen is produced near polymetallic nodules, which are mineral-rich deposits containing metals such as nickel, manganese, and cobalt.
Scientists used specialised benthic chambers to isolate sections of the seafloor and monitor chemical changes, observing unexpected increases in oxygen levels.
The study suggests that these nodules may function like batteries, facilitating electrochemical reactions that break down seawater into hydrogen and oxygen.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these polymetallic nodules are typically found in the abyssal plains of the Pacific Ocean.
This finding challenges the conventional scientific belief that Earth's oxygen is primarily produced through sunlight-dependent photosynthesis.
India link not mentioned in the article.
Ice Age Hunting Structures Discovered Beneath Lake Huron
Key Updates:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) identified prehistoric hunting structures at the Alpena-Amberley Ridge beneath Lake Huron.
The site contains stone structures, artifacts, and environmental remains estimated to be at least 9,000 years old.
The discovered stone hunting drives and blinds were used for organised caribou hunts.
Researchers utilised multibeam sonar surveys, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and scuba divers to map and inspect the lake floor.
The project aims to create virtual reality models of the Alpena-Amberley Ridge as it appeared during the prehistoric era.
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Caribou winter survival hinges on lichen abundance and snow depth: SUNY study (Mid of April)▼
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) researchers found caribou in high-lichen areas up to nine times more likely to survive winter than those in low-lichen zones.
The study analysed GPS telemetry data from 1,067 caribou winters spanning 2009–2024 to link lichen cover and snow depth to survival.
Caribou access lichen by digging through snow in a behaviour termed ‘cratering’, but snow depths exceeding about 50 centimetres block access and erase the survival advantage.
Collaborators included the National Park Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Maryland.
Oldest Neanderthal Population in Central-Eastern Europe Identified via DNA from Stajnia Cave (End of April)▼
Scientists have reconstructed the oldest Neanderthal population in Central-Eastern Europe using DNA from the Stajnia Cave in Poland.
The genetic evidence dates back over 80,000 years and was extracted from a Neanderthal tooth.
Using paleogenomic methodology to analyse mitochondrial DNA, researchers found the group was genetically connected to contemporary Neanderthals in the Caucasus area.
The discovery was published in the journal Scientific Reports in an article titled First multi-individual Neanderthal mitogenomes from north of the Carpathians.
The study indicates that climate changes during the Ice Age served as drivers for migratory events and population turnovers across Eurasia.
4.5-million-year-old freshwater fish fossils discovered in Shivalik foothills near Dehradun (Start of April)▼
Scientists led by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) unearthed otoliths of snakehead (Channa sp.), goby (Gobiidae indet.), and gourami (Trichogaster fasciata) in the Shivalik foothills near Mohand, Dehradun.
The fossils, dated to about 4.5 million years ago, mark the first evidence of aquatic life in a region previously known only for terrestrial animal remains.
The gourami fossil represents India’s first recorded occurrence and only the second globally after a find in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Analysis of the otolith assemblage indicates calm, vegetated freshwater bodies existed in the area during the Pliocene epoch.
Roughly 500 kg of bulk sediments collected in the 2024 field season were processed at the WIHG laboratory to extract the delicate otoliths.
The peer-reviewed study was published by Springer-Nature in its Palaeobiodiversity and Paleoenvironments journal on 31 March.
CSIR-NGRI identifies 200km-long underground palaeo-channel between Prayagraj and Kanpur (Mid of May)▼
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) identified a palaeo-channel approximately 200 km long stretching from Prayagraj to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
The underground channel is 4 to 5 kilometres wide and buried 10 to 15 metres below the surface in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
The discovery was made using heliborne transient electromagnetic technology (H-TEM) and confirmatory drilling.
A tripartite agreement between the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), and CSIR-NGRI led to the detailed survey from Kaushambi to Kanpur.
The palaeo-channel can act as a massive natural aquifer, with six sites identified between Prayagraj and Kanpur for managed aquifer recharge.
National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) completes wetland verification in Maharashtra
Key Updates:
The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), functioning under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has completed documentation and ground-truthing for all but 11 of Maharashtra's 23,415 wetlands.
The verification process enables these waterbodies to be formally notified and brought under legal protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules.
Ahmednagar district has the highest number of wetlands in the state at 1,596, followed by Nashik with 1,236 and Chandrapur with 1,231.
Other documented wetlands include 1,093 in Raigad, 247 in Thane, 210 in Mumbai suburban, and 37 in Mumbai city.
The remaining 11 wetlands awaiting verification are located in the Pune district.
The MoEFCC launched the decadal-change version of the National Wetland Atlas in 2020 to track changes in wetlands over time.
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Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh designated as India’s 99th Ramsar site (End of April)▼
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the designation of Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary as a Ramsar site.
Located in the Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh, Shekha Jheel is the 12th Ramsar site in the state and the 99th in India.
The sanctuary serves as a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway, which is one of the primary migratory bird routes in the world.
Migratory bird species recorded at the site include the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and various types of ducks.
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty focused on the protection and sustainable utilisation of ecologically significant wetlands.
The designation is part of the ecosystem restoration mission led by the Prime Minister (PM) of India.
The recognition is intended to support local livelihoods, global biodiversity, water security, and climate security while promoting eco-tourism.
Supreme Court (SC) clears removal of 45,675 mangroves for Versova-Bhayandar coastal road (End of March)▼
The Supreme Court (SC) refused to interfere with a Bombay High Court (HC) order allowing the removal of 45,675 mangrove trees for the proposed Versova-Bhayandar coastal road.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant noted that the project is intended to decongest the western highway and provide significant advantages to Mumbai residents.
The project proponent has identified 31 hectares of land for compensatory afforestation, which received permission on 12 December 2025.
The SC mandated that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Nagpur, must file annual status and audit reports for the next 10 years on or before 12 January.
The environmental NGO Vanasakthi contested the project, stating that mangroves absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) five times more than normal forests and serve as critical flood protection for Mumbai.
The court emphasised the need to maintain a balance between environmental protection norms and developmental requirements in the public interest.
Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launches biodiversity conservation project in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya (End of April)▼
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in partnership with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), launched a five-year project titled Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments.
The project is a joint initiative of the Government of India, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a grant of $4.88 million for 2025-30.
In Tamil Nadu, the programme covers the Sathyamangalam landscape, including the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
In Meghalaya, the project covers the Garo Hills, including the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National Park, and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.
Conservation efforts will be integrated into Village Employment Councils (VECs), which are equivalent to gram panchayats.
Key objectives include strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and Biodiversity Management Committees by mainstreaming biodiversity in local developmental plans.
The project aims to promote innovative financing through Access and Benefit Sharing (ACS) arrangements, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) co-financing, and green micro-enterprises.
The initiative focuses on advancing the economic and governance roles of women, scheduled caste, and tribal communities through knowledge management and capacity building.
Jannik Sinner and Elina Svitolina win Italian Open 2026
Key Updates:
Jannik Sinner defeated Casper Ruud 6–4, 6–4 to win the men's singles title at the 83rd Italian Open held at the Foro Italico in Rome.
Sinner became the youngest player and second in history to win all nine active Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Masters 1000 events and the first Italian man to win the singles trophy in 50 years.
Elina Svitolina won the women's singles title by defeating Coco Gauff 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–2, becoming the oldest woman to win three titles at the same Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 event.
Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori became the first all-Italian pair to win the men's doubles crown in the Open Era by defeating Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
The unseeded pair of Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider won the women's doubles title by defeating Cristina Bucșa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 6–3, 6–3.
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Hanne Vandewinkel defeats Vaishnavi Adkar to win ITF Women’s Open Bengaluru W100 singles title (End of February)▼
Hanne Vandewinkel defeated Vaishnavi Adkar 6-0, 6-1 in the ITF Women’s Open W100 singles final in Bengaluru.
Vaishnavi Adkar became the first Indian woman to reach a W100 singles final since Sania Mirza in 2009.
Vandewinkel earned 100 WTA ranking points and $15,239, while Adkar received 65 points and $8,147.
Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters 2026 (Mid of April)▼
Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-3 in the Monte Carlo Masters final on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
The victory gave Sinner his first Masters title on clay and reclaimed the ATP world number one ranking.
Sinner became only the second player after Novak Djokovic in 2015 to win the Sunshine Double and Monte Carlo in the same season.
This was Sinner’s fourth consecutive Masters 1000 crown and his eighth Masters title overall.
Jannik Sinner beats Jiří Lehečka to win 2026 Miami Open (Start of April)▼
Jannik Sinner defeated Jiří Lehečka 6-4, 6-4 in the men’s singles final of the 2026 Miami Open on 29 March.
The victory gave Sinner the rare 'Sunshine Double' after also winning Indian Wells earlier in 2026.
The match was delayed 90 minutes at the start and halted again for 80 minutes in the second set due to rain.
Sinner extended his ATP Masters 1000-level winning streak to 34 consecutive sets.
The final was played in Florida, United States of America.
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.
World Bee Day observed on May 20 with theme protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable environmental practices
Key Updates:
World Bee Day is observed every year on May 20 to create awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators.
The theme for World Bee Day 2026 focuses on protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
The United Nations (UN) officially declared World Bee Day in 2017 after a proposal by Slovenia.
The date May 20 was chosen to honour Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping born on this day in 1734.
Bee populations are declining due to factors including climate change, pollution, pesticide use, habitat destruction, and diseases.
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World Migratory Bird Day observed in May and October with theme Power of Community Science (Mid of May)▼
World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice annually in May and October to align with migration patterns in both hemispheres.
The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2026 is the power of Community Science.
The campaign is coordinated by a network including Environment for the Americas (EFTA), The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership.
The 2026 ambassador species selected to represent global flyways are the American Oystercatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Barn Swallow, Cinnamon Teal, and Merlin.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is currently listed as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) marks 25th Foundation Day with new logo, mobile app and RCO portal launch (Start of March)▼
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 1 March 2026.
Shri Manohar Lal, Cabinet Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, attended as Chief Guest and unveiled the BEE@25 logo.
India has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36% from 2005 levels and achieved 52% non-fossil fuel installed capacity ahead of the 2030 target.
The Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) Portal (http://www.rco.beeindia.gov.in) was launched to strengthen monitoring and compliance under energy efficiency programmes.
The BEE Star Label Mobile Application, developed with CLASP, allows consumers to scan QR codes on star-labelled appliances to access energy performance and compliance details.
Key BEE initiatives include the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE), ADEETIE scheme for MSMEs, Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programme, and Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC).
World Sparrow Day observed on March 20 (End of March)▼
World Sparrow Day is observed annually on March 20 to raise awareness and encourage conservation efforts for the house sparrow.
The initiative was first introduced in 2010 by Nature Forever, a bird conservation organisation in India, and has expanded to 50 countries.
The house sparrow was designated as the official state bird of Delhi in 2012.
Environmental conservationist Jagat Kinkhabwala launched the Save The Sparrow campaign, which received support from Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in 2017.
A 2025 Press Information Bureau (PIB) statement highlighted the efforts of Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Lal, who established 50 nests for sparrows at his home.
The house sparrow plays a vital role in ecological balance by regulating insect populations and assisting in pollination and seed dispersal.
The decline in the sparrow population is attributed to habitat loss, excessive pesticide usage, pollution, industrialisation, and modern building designs that lack nesting spaces.
World Earth Day 2026 Observed with Theme 'Our Power, Our Planet' (End of April)▼
World Earth Day is observed annually on 22 April to promote environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.
The theme for World Earth Day 2026 is 'our power, our planet', which emphasises human agency and collective action.
Campaigns in 2026 focus on civic mobilisation, environmental literacy, and democratic action through activities such as voter registration drives, teach-ins, and town halls.
World Earth Day began on 22 April 1970 in the United States (US) following protests against environmental degradation in cities including New York and Boston.
The 1970 movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and key environmental laws.
The movement expanded globally in 1990 with participation from 141 countries.
BWSSB among world’s top 5 water utilities at Madrid’s Global Water Summit 2026
Key Updates:
The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) was recognised among the top five utilities in the 'Utility of the Year' category at the Global Water Summit 2026 in Madrid, Spain.
Other utilities in the category included Mouton Niguel water district (USA), Sabesp (Brazil), and National Water Company (NWC) (Saudi Arabia).
BWSSB's Cauvery Stage-V Drinking Water Project was among the Top 5 global projects under the 'Water Project of the Year' category.
The recognition was based on BWSSB's performance over the past three years in urban water supply, sanitation management, technology adoption, infrastructure expansion, and sustainable utility governance.
BWSSB's integrated approach includes a 'Five Pillars' strategy for water conservation, wastewater recycling, reuse, and sustainable urban water governance.
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Ministry of Jal Shakti to host 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) in September 2026 (End of April)▼
The Ministry of Jal Shakti will host the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) from September 22-26, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The theme for the IIWW is Climate Resilient Water Management.
Conceptualised in 2012, the IIWW is held biennially to advance innovation, global partnerships, and knowledge-sharing in water governance.
The event will comprise 49 sessions with participation from 11 country delegations, six Union Ministries, and 16 States and Union Territories.
The IIWW will feature thematic forums including the Global Water Leaders Forum, Business Forum, Country Forum, Youth Forum, and Startup Forum.
The event will run alongside the Second International Water Sanitation and Hygiene Conference 2026.
Jal Jeevan Mission: Uttar Pradesh introduces 10-year warranty model for rural water schemes (End of April)▼
Uttar Pradesh introduced a mandatory 10-year operations and maintenance (O&M) ‘warranty’ for rural drinking water projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
Under the new framework, construction agencies are responsible for operating and maintaining water supply infrastructure for a decade.
The state rolled out the ‘Jal Arpan’ initiative to transform villagers into active stakeholders with ownership and leadership in managing local water supply systems.
Over 33,000 solar-powered water schemes have been installed in Uttar Pradesh, reducing maintenance expenses by approximately 52%.
Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), also known as ‘Paani Samitis’ and led by Gram Pradhans, are involved in the planning, design, and daily operations of the infrastructure.
The Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department is implementing the strategy to ensure long-term sustainability of the projects.
Water quality monitoring is conducted through district-level, state-level, and mobile NABL-accredited laboratories.
A Citizen Charter and an online grievance redressal system, accessible via a toll-free helpline or online portal, have been introduced to ensure service accountability.
Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: Sustainable rural tap water coverage (Start of May)▼
Reform-linked memoranda of understanding (MoUs) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 were signed on 29 April with Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Tripura.
The JJM 2.0 is extended until December 2028 to achieve complete rural tap water coverage, shifting focus from infrastructure creation to sustainable service delivery.
Karnataka has established 88.06 lakh functional household tap connections out of 101.31 lakh rural households, achieving 87 per cent progress.
Uttarakhand has achieved 98 per cent coverage with 14.20 lakh connections out of 14.48 lakh rural households and conserved over 6,500 water sources and 3.5 million cubic metres of rainwater harvesting through its Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority.
Tripura's tap water coverage rose from 3 per cent in 2019 to 86 per cent, providing piped water to 4,319 schools and 8,585 Anganwadi centres.
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) becomes India's first ISO 50001:2018-certified water board (Mid of April)▼
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has become the first water utility board in India to be awarded the internationally recognised ISO 50001:2018 certification.
The certification was officially issued on April 14, 2026, by Bureau Veritas to formally recognise the board's energy management systems.
The certificate honours the BWSSB for maintaining its bulk water supply pumping stations at international standards across three critical locations: TK Halli, Harohalli, and Tataguni.
In 2025, the BWSSB became the first water board in India to receive the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for its piped drinking water supply management system.
Dogri-Punjabi Dictionary released on May 17, 2026
Key Updates:
Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta released a Dogri-Punjabi dictionary.
The dictionary was authored by the late Chandan Negi.
The release function was held at K.L. Saigal Hall in Jammu.
The event was jointly organised by the Punjabi Lekhak Sabha and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
The dictionary release took place on May 17, 2026.
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Sindhi Bhasha Diwas observed on 10 April 2026 (Mid of April)▼
Sindhi Bhasha Diwas is observed annually on 10 April.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Vice-President of India, released the updated version of the Constitution of India in the Sindhi language on 10 April 2026.
The updated Constitution was released in two formats: the first edition in Devanagari script and the second edition in Persian script.
The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice prepared the updated versions through the Regional Languages Officers in the Official Languages Wing.
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, highlighted the inclusion of the Sindhi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was recognised for his pioneering efforts in including the Sindhi language in the Eighth Schedule.
The event was attended by Shri Vasudev Devnani, the Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly, and Shri Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament (MP).
Dr. Rajiv Mani serves as the Secretary of the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Constitution of India released in Tamil and Gujarati on International Mother Language Day (End of February)▼
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released updated versions of the Constitution of India in Tamil and Gujarati at Uprashtrapati Bhavan on International Mother Language Day.
The 8th Edition of the Legal Glossary (English–Hindi) was also released alongside the constitutional translations.
In the past decade, the Constitution was officially translated for the first time into Bodo, Dogri and Santhali.
Last year, the Constitution was released in Nepali for the Nepali-speaking population of India.
The Legal Glossary aims to make legal terminology accessible to lawmakers, students, judicial officers, researchers, translators and policymakers.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day observed on 17 May
Key Updates:
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed annually on 17 May.
The theme for 2026 is Digital lifelines: Strengthening resilience in a connected world.
The day is organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which was founded in 1865.
The United Nations (UN) combined World Telecommunication Day with World Information Society Day in 2006.
India's digital progress includes initiatives such as Digital India, BharatNet Project, expansion of 5G services, online governance systems, and digital payment platforms like Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
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Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Launches 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026 (End of March)▼
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications has launched the second edition of the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026.
The initiative is organised under the 100 5G Use Case Labs Initiative to develop scalable solutions using 5G and allied technologies.
The hackathon is open to students, start-ups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and independent innovators across India.
Submissions are accepted from 20 March 2026 until 17 April 2026 through designated nodal centres at academic institutions.
A seed funding pool of ₹50 lakh has been allocated for prototype development, while the total prize pool exceeds ₹10 lakh.
Prize rewards are structured as ₹5,00,000 for the first prize, ₹3,00,000 for the runner-up, ₹1,50,000 for the second runner-up, and ₹50,000 for the Best Idea Award.
Up to 25 teams will receive assistance for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) filing to protect and commercialise their solutions.
Final results will be announced on 1 October 2026, and winners will showcase their innovations at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026.
Focus areas include 5G Advanced, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
TRAI Day 2026 observed on 20 February (End of February)▼
TRAI Day 2026 was observed on 20 February, marking the 29th Foundation Day of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
TRAI was established in 1997 during India’s telecom liberalisation.
Anil Kumar Lahoti is the Chairperson of TRAI.
The theme for technical deliberation included network slicing and net neutrality.
Girls in ICT Day observed on April 23 with theme AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future (End of April)▼
Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day is observed on 23 April.
The 15th anniversary of the day was marked on 23 April 2026.
The theme for the Geneva celebration was AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future.
The event was marked by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC), International Gender Champions (IGC), and the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations in Geneva.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin is the Secretary-General of the ITU.
Sameer Chauhan is the Director of the UNICC.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia leads India’s engagements at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona (Start of March)▼
Mobile World Congress 2026 is being held from March 2–5, 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain.
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia delivered the Closing Keynote at the GSMA Ministerial Programme session themed 'Breaking the Cost Barrier'.
He addressed the MWC Main Stage keynote session titled 'Built for What’s Next'.
The Bharat Pavilion was inaugurated by the Minister, with 40 Indian companies showcasing telecom solutions.
India Mobile Congress 2026 was announced to be held from 7th–10th October 2026 in New Delhi.
Tejas Networks launched the TJ1600-D3 Hyper-scalable DCI Platform engineered in India.
Shri Scindia met ITU Secretary General Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin during the visit.
Bilateral meetings were held with Eutelsat and Viasat to advance connectivity frameworks for India.
Interactions took place with Bharti Group led by Sunil Bharti Mittal.
Demonstrations were witnessed at booths of Meta, Rakuten, VVDN Technologies, Ericsson, Nokia, Intel, Cisco and Qualcomm.
MWC 2026 is organised by GSMA and themed 'The IQ Era'.
India’s participation is organised by Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), supported by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
World Hypertension Day 2026 observed on May 17, 2026
Key Updates:
World Hypertension Day 2026 was observed on May 17, 2026.
Doctors warned that hypertension often shows no symptoms and is increasingly affecting younger adults due to sedentary lifestyles, stress, poor diet, obesity, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol, and metabolic disorders.
Common myths about hypertension include that it always shows symptoms and that only overweight or elderly people get it.
Health risks of uncontrolled hypertension include heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, damage to blood vessels, and heart rhythm disorders.
Lifestyle changes recommended include reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, maintaining healthy weight, managing stress, getting proper sleep, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating a balanced diet.
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World Liver Day observed on April 19 with theme 'Solid Habits, Strong Liver' (Mid of April)▼
World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19 to raise global awareness about liver health and the importance of preventing liver-related diseases.
The theme for World Liver Day 2026 is 'Solid Habits, Strong Liver'.
Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) affects nearly one in three adults worldwide and is linked to obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Nearly 90% of liver disease is preventable through consistent lifestyle choices.
The 2026 observance is significant in India due to the rising intersection of diabetes and liver disease.
The 'Solid Habits' campaign focuses on four pillars: balanced plant-forward diet, physical activity, re-evaluating alcohol, and routine screenings.
Recommended routine screenings for liver health include Liver Function Tests (LFTs) and FibroScans.
The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) highlighted that the best time to protect the liver is before treatment becomes necessary.
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.
The Lancet Neurology review highlighted increasing identification of EOPD in younger working-age adults.
World Kidney Day 2026 observed on March 12 with theme 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet' (Mid of March)▼
World Kidney Day 2026 is observed globally on March 12.
The 2026 theme is 'Kidney Health for All — Caring for People, Protecting the Planet'.
World Kidney Day is organised annually by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Society of Nephrology.
World Homoeopathy Day 2026 observed on April 10 with theme 'Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health' (Mid of April)▼
World Homoeopathy Day 2026 was observed by the Ministry of Ayush at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on April 10, 2026.
The theme for 2026 was 'Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health'.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr Samuel Hahnemann.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav highlighted the role of research institutions Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), and National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH).
Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha mentioned initiatives like the Ayush Grid for digital integration of the Ayush ecosystem.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia observed on 17 May with the theme At the heart of democracy
Key Updates:
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is observed globally on 17 May.
The theme for the year 2026 is At the heart of democracy.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations (UN) sexual and reproductive health agency.
The day addresses human rights violations such as conversion therapy, forced medical examinations, involuntary HIV testing, and coerced sterilisation.
UNFPA works to advance rights-based legislative reforms and the safe gathering of disaggregated data on LGBTIQ+ communities.
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International Transgender Day of Visibility observed on March 31 (Start of April)▼
International Transgender Day of Visibility is observed on March 31 to celebrate the accomplishments of transgender and non-binary people while raising awareness of the work still needed to achieve trans justice.
The holiday was founded in 2009 by Rachel Crandall-Crocker, a Michigan-based licensed psychotherapist and transgender activist.
In 2021, the United States issued the first-ever formal presidential proclamation recognizing the day.
Organizations like TGEU (Transgender Europe) and GLAAD use the date to release reports on transgender rights and to amplify the voices of trans activists across the globe.
United Nations observes International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March (End of March)▼
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on 21 March each year.
The date commemorates the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa when police killed 69 peaceful demonstrators protesting apartheid pass laws.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed this day as an international observance in 1966.
In 1979 UNGA decided that a week of solidarity with peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination should be organized annually starting on 21 March.
The observance led to the creation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
UN Secretary-General António Guterres marks International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March (Mid of March)▼
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed on 15 March.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the world’s 2 billion Muslims reflect vast global diversity.
Guterres highlighted institutional discrimination, socioeconomic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance against Muslims.
He warned that anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship.
Governments were urged to take concrete steps to address hate speech, protect religious freedom, and ensure compliance with international human rights law.
Online platforms were asked to eliminate hate speech and harassment based on religion or belief.
In May 2025, the UN Secretary-General appointed the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.
Zero Discrimination Day 2026 observed on 1 March to end HIV stigma (Start of March)▼
Zero Discrimination Day is observed globally on 1 March every year.
The 2026 observance by UNAIDS highlights persistent discrimination faced by people living with and at risk of HIV.
The campaign theme for 2026 is 'Put People First'.
Data from over 30,000 people living with HIV across 25 countries confirms stigma remains a widespread barrier to healthcare access.
According to the People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 Global Report, nearly one in four people reported experiencing stigma and discrimination from others.
85 percent of people living with HIV report experiencing internalized stigma.
24 percent of people living with HIV experienced discrimination within their communities in the past year.
38 percent feel ashamed of being HIV-positive.
Discrimination prevents access to HIV testing, prevention services, and life-saving treatment.
UNAIDS urges removal of discriminatory laws criminalizing sex work, drug use, same-sex relationships, and HIV non-disclosure.
UNAIDS calls for protecting the right to healthcare by guaranteeing confidentiality, training healthcare workers, ending mandatory HIV testing, and providing compassionate care.
UNAIDS advocates for community-led responses, increased funding for organizations led by people living with HIV, and meaningful participation in policymaking.
Manindra Agrawal Elected Fellow of the Royal Society
Key Updates:
Manindra Agrawal, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
The Royal Society is the national academy of sciences of the United Kingdom, founded in 1660.
Agrawal was recognised for his contributions to theoretical computer science, specifically the development of the AKS primality test in 2002 along with Neeraj Kayal and Nitin Saxena.
The AKS primality test is the first unconditional deterministic polynomial-time algorithm capable of proving whether a number is prime.
Agrawal has previously received the Gödel Prize and the Fulkerson Prize for his research.
Other Indian and Indian-origin Fellows of the Royal Society include Ardaseer Cursetjee (first in 1841), Srinivasa Ramanujan, C. V. Raman, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Homi J. Bhabha, and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.
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Kuljeet Kaur Marhas elected Fellow of The Meteoritical Society (Mid of May)▼
Kuljeet Kaur Marhas became the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society for 2026.
She is a professor in the Planetary Science Division at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad and a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
She is the third Indian scientist to receive this honour, following Devendra Lal and JN Goswami.
Her research involves using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and nanoSIMS techniques to analyse isotopic signatures in extraterrestrial materials.
She is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and a recipient of the Devendra Lal Memorial Medal.
N Chandrasekaran conferred honorary knighthood by UK (End of March)▼
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, was awarded the honorary knighthood of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by the British government.
The honour was conferred at a ceremony held at the residence of British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, who presented it on behalf of King Charles III.
Tata Group operates 19 subsidiaries in the UK across automotive, steel, technology, and consumer goods sectors and employs over 70,000 people there.
Chandrasekaran credited the honour to his colleagues and highlighted Tata Group’s investments in JLR’s all-electric transition, advanced manufacturing, green steel, and innovation initiatives.
Shashi Tharoor received honorary Doctor of Letters from St Xavier's University. (End of February)▼
Shashi Tharoor was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by St Xavier's University at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
This was Tharoor's first honorary doctorate in India.
Tharoor had earlier served as a convocation speaker at the university.
He highlighted the role of women in academics and urged students to embrace civic responsibility.
Yashwant Gupta conferred with MP Birla Memorial Award (Mid of March)▼
The MP Birla Planetarium (MPBP) conferred the MP Birla Memorial Award on Yashwant Gupta, the director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
The biennial award was instituted in 1993 and was last presented to Prof Thanu Padmanabhan in 2019.
The award ceremony resumed after a six-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and renovation work at the planetarium.
Notable past recipients of the award include Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, Govind Swarup, K Kasturirangan, and APJ Abdul Kalam.
The award was not presented in 2015 and 2017 as the MPBP was undergoing renovation during those years.
Narendra Modi conferred with 2026 Agricola Medal by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Key Updates:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the 2026 Agricola Medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its headquarters in Rome.
The award was presented by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in recognition of the Prime Minister’s leadership in advancing food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development.
This visit marked the first time an Indian Head of Government has visited the FAO headquarters in the last 30 years.
The Prime Minister noted that India has developed nearly 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties over the last decade to build a sustainable and future-ready agricultural ecosystem.
India is a founding member of the FAO and collaborated with the organisation to promote nutritious food through the celebration of the International Year of Millets.
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Narendra Modi Conferred Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Mid of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by King Harald V in Oslo.
The award is Norway's highest honour for foreign Heads of Government and is the 32nd international honour received by the Indian Prime Minister.
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit was established by King Olav V in 1985 and features the Cross of St. Olav with the monogram of King Olav V.
Sweden conferred the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, the nation's highest honour for foreign heads of government, upon the Indian Prime Minister.
India and Norway agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Green Strategic Partnership to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, blue economy, green transition, renewable energy, trade and investment, artificial intelligence, science and technology, education, space, and Arctic cooperation.
Narendra Modi received Royal Order of the Polar Star (Mid of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, by Sweden.
The award is the highest honour granted to a Head of Government by the Scandinavian nation and is the 31st international honour received by Narendra Modi.
The honour was conferred by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in recognition of his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the India-Sweden relationship.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the honour marks a reaffirmation of friendship between the two countries.
Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.
The two nations focused on boosting bilateral ties in areas of green transition, artificial intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action, and people-to-people ties.
Sweden confers Royal Order of Polar Star on Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Mid of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Royal Order of Polar Star by Sweden.
The Royal Order of Polar Star is the highest honour awarded to a Head of Government by the Scandinavian nation.
This award marks the 31st international honour received by Prime Minister Modi.
The Royal Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748 to recognise personal endeavours for Sweden or Swedish interests.
Prime Minister Modi was received by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the Gothenburg Airport during a two-day visit.
Narendra Modi Conferred With Speaker of the Knesset Medal by Israel (End of February)▼
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, which is the highest honour awarded by the Israeli parliament.
PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this distinction, which was presented during his address to the Knesset.
The medal was awarded in recognition of his leadership in strengthening strategic and bilateral relations between India and Israel.
During the two-day visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed the building of an iron alliance between the two nations to counter extremist Islam.
PM Modi is among the few world leaders to hold top honours from both Israel and Palestine, having received the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine in 2018.
The Prime Minister also held meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss deepening cooperation in key strategic areas.
Salim Abdool Karim and Keertan Dheda Receive South Africa's Order of Mapungubwe
Key Updates:
President Cyril Ramaphosa presented the Order of Mapungubwe, South Africa's highest civilian honour, to 38 recipients during a ceremony held in Pretoria.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim received the Order of Mapungubwe in Gold for his research on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemiology and his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Professor Keertan Dheda was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver for his research in pulmonology and management of tuberculosis and drug-resistant respiratory infections.
Salim Abdool Karim serves as the Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and is a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Keertan Dheda holds a research chair at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and heads the Division of Pulmonology and the Respiratory Service at Groote Schuur Hospital.
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S. Nambi Narayanan and others to receive honorary doctorate from Bagalkot University (End of April)▼
Bagalkot University will confer honorary doctorate (honoris causa) degrees on three individuals.
The recipients are space scientist S. Nambi Narayanan, Sri Gurumahanth Swami of Chittaragi Shri Vijaya Mahantesha Samsthana Math, Ilkal, and tech-entrepreneur and philanthropist Mahesh Bellad.
The degrees will be presented during the first convocation of Bagalkot University.
The ceremony will be held at Darbar Hall on the BLDE Association campus in Jamkhandi, Bagalkot district.
Kuljeet Kaur Marhas elected Fellow of The Meteoritical Society (Mid of May)▼
Kuljeet Kaur Marhas became the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society for 2026.
She is a professor in the Planetary Science Division at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad and a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
She is the third Indian scientist to receive this honour, following Devendra Lal and JN Goswami.
Her research involves using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and nanoSIMS techniques to analyse isotopic signatures in extraterrestrial materials.
She is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and a recipient of the Devendra Lal Memorial Medal.
Prof Hermann Kulke passes away at 87; Padma Shri awardee and global voice of Odisha history. (Mid of March)▼
Prof Hermann Kulke, eminent historian and Indologist, died on Tuesday at the age of 87.
He was born in Berlin in 1938 and held the position of Professor Emeritus of South and Southeast Asian History at Kiel University in Germany.
He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2010 for his contributions to Indology and Odisha studies.
Kulke was a founding member and coordinator of the first two Orissa Research Projects of the German Research Council.
He completed his PhD in Indology on the temple city of Chidambaram from Freiburg University in 1967.
He earned his D.Litt on Gajapati Kingship and the Jagannath Cult from Heidelberg University in 1975.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo condoled his death and highlighted his pioneering research on Odisha’s heritage.
Nagaland University conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on five chemists. (End of February)▼
Nagaland University presented the awards to prof AK Mallik, prof VS Raja, prof MA Quraishi, prof M Indira Devi, and prof Nitin Chattopadhyay during ICCMR–2026 held from Feb 18-20 at I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Lumami.
Prof AK Mallik of Punjabi University, Patiala, is noted for advances in materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and surface science.
Prof VS Raja of IIT Bombay is acclaimed for corrosion science and engineering research.
Prof MA Quraishi, formerly of IIT-BHU Varanasi, is credited with over 380 publications and over 15,000 citations in corrosion science and green chemistry.
Prof M Indira Devi of Nagaland University specialises in lanthanide complexation and nanomaterials and has served as dean of the school of sciences.
Prof Nitin Chattopadhyay, former professor and dean at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, is renowned for photophysics, photochemistry, and fluorescence sensing and is a CSIR emeritus scientist.
N.S.K. Umesh Appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Kerala Chief Minister
Key Updates:
The Department of General Administration issued orders on May 20, 2026, appointing N.S.K. Umesh as the Additional Secretary and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister of Kerala.
N.S.K. Umesh is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2015 batch belonging to the Kerala cadre.
He currently serves as the Director of General Education and will continue in this post until a successor is appointed.
He holds the additional responsibility of Managing Director (MD) of the Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC).
Prior to his current roles, he served as the District Collector of Ernakulam.
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Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan appointed Chief of the Naval Staff (Start of May)▼
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was appointed as the Chief of the Naval Staff by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, the current Chief of the Naval Staff, will retire from service on May 31, 2026.
He is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
He has held command of the missile vessels INS Vidyut and Vinash, the missile corvette INS Kulish, the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
His academic qualifications include a BSc from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), an MSc from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), an MA from King's College London, and an MPhil and PhD from Mumbai University.
V D Satheesan Appointed Chief Minister of Kerala (Mid of May)▼
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.
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.
Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari Appointed Chief Justice of Madras High Court (Start of March)▼
The President of India appointed Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court following the recommendation of the Supreme Court (SC) Collegium.
The SC Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, recommended the appointment in a meeting held on 26 February.
Justice Dharmadhikari succeeds Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, who retired from the position on 5 March.
He is currently serving as a judge of the Kerala High Court, having been transferred there from his parent Madhya Pradesh High Court in April 2025.
The transfer to the Kerala High Court was approved by the President under Article 222 of the Constitution of India.
Justice Dharmadhikari was first appointed as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in April 2016 and took oath as a permanent judge on 17 March 2018.
Born on 9 July 1966 at Raipur, he practised law in civil, criminal, and constitutional branches for 24 years in the Madhya Pradesh High Court before his elevation to the bench.
Gunveer Singh, Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray, Sudhakar Malli and Ravi Shankar elevated to Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has elevated five senior officers to the post of executive director.
The newly empanelled executive directors are Gunveer Singh, Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray, Sudhakar Malli and Ravi Shankar.
Gunveer Singh, Monisha Chakraborty, Suman Ray and Sudhakar Malli belong to the Common Seniority Group (CSG) cadre.
Ravi Shankar belongs to the Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM) cadre.
These officers are currently posted in Mumbai across the RBI Central Office and Mumbai Regional Office.
The promotions were announced via an internal order issued by the human resource management department of the RBI.
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Rohit Jain Appointed as RBI Deputy Governor (Start of May)▼
Rohit Jain was appointed as Deputy Governor (DG) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) by the appointments committee of the cabinet.
His appointment is for a period of three years from the date of joining on or after May 3, 2026.
He replaced T Rabi Sankar, whose tenure ended on May 3, 2026, after receiving two extensions in 2024 and 2025.
Jain had served as an Executive Director (ED) at the RBI since December 2020 and has spent about 30 years at the central bank, handling functions including banking supervision.
Jain became one of the two deputy governors promoted from within the RBI, along with SC Murmu, while the other deputy governors include Poonam Gupta and Swaminathan J.
Google and Blackstone Partner for 5 Billion Dollar Artificial Intelligence Cloud Venture
Key Updates:
Google and Blackstone have announced a new United States-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) cloud venture to provide access to Google’s custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs).
Blackstone will initially invest $5 billion in the project, which aims to bring 500 megawatts of data centre capacity online by 2027.
The venture will offer compute-as-a-service, allowing businesses to rent AI computing power using TPUs instead of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).
Google executive Benjamin Treynor Sloss has been appointed to lead the new venture as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has increased its 2026 spending plans for AI infrastructure to a range between $180 billion and $190 billion.
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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.
Google unveils America-India Connect subsea cable and frontier AI partnerships for Indian government bodies (Mid of February)▼
Google will build new subsea cable routes between India, the United States, Singapore, South Africa and Australia under the America-India Connect initiative.
The project establishes an international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam and four strategic fibre-optic routes to boost network connectivity.
Google had previously announced a $15 billion investment over five years for an AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh.
Google DeepMind will partner with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide access to frontier AI for Science models including AlphaGenome, AI Co-scientist and Earth AI.
Google DeepMind will also partner with NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs to integrate robotics, coding, Gemini into teacher workflows and build a safeguarded AI assistant for students.
Google.org launched the $30-million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science, an open call for researchers, nonprofits and social enterprises in India and worldwide using AI for scientific breakthroughs.
India AI Impact Summit 2026 releases AI Impact Startup Book mapping 100 deep-tech innovators (Mid of February)▼
The AI Impact Startup Book was launched on the third day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The compendium maps 100 high-impact AI-driven solutions across sectors, technologies and geographies.
AI innovation is expanding beyond healthcare into foundation models, indigenous AI infrastructure, waste-tech, voice- and vision-based Indian applications, and edge AI integrated with hardware.
Nearly 47% of early-stage ventures retain strong local presence, while about 68% of growth-stage startups operate internationally.
Shri Abhishek Singh, Director General of NIC, Additional Secretary at Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CEO of IndiaAI, called the book a repository for ministries and states to evaluate and scale AI solutions.
Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kalpa Impact, highlighted eight insights, noting India is building its own foundation models, AI infrastructure and edge innovation.