Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reports 2.6 times jump in credit card transactions
Key Updates:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated in its Payment System Report, December 2025, that credit card transaction volumes increased from 216 crore in 2021 to 570 crore in 2025.
Credit card transaction value rose from ₹8.9 lakh crore in 2021 to ₹23.2 lakh crore in 2025, representing an annual growth rate of approximately 27 per cent.
Private sector banks increased their share in outstanding credit cards to 71.1 per cent in December 2025, while foreign banks' share declined to 3.8 per cent from 9.3 per cent in December 2021.
Digital payment transaction volumes increased 33 times between 2016 and 2025, with UPI QR codes growing to 7,313 lakh in December 2025 from 6,782 lakh in June 2025.
The Clearing Corporation of India Ltd (CCIL) plans to introduce bond forwards and non-deliverable forwards (NDFs), while AMC Repo Clearing Ltd intends to launch repo transactions in municipal bonds.
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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.
Worldline India records UPI transactions at 228.5 billion and QR base crossing 731 million in 2025 (Start of April)▼
UPI processed 228.5 billion transactions in 2025, registering a 33% year-on-year increase.
UPI transaction value rose 21% to ₹299.74 trillion in 2025.
Average UPI ticket size declined to ₹1,314 in 2025 from ₹1,437 in 2024.
UPI QR deployments crossed 731 million in 2025, up from over 633 million in 2024.
PoS terminals grew 15% year-on-year to 11.48 million in 2025.
Total card transactions reached ₹28.73 trillion in 2025, up 6% year-on-year.
Credit card transaction value increased 11% to ₹23.65 trillion in 2025.
Credit card transaction volumes rose 27% to 5.69 billion in 2025.
Debit card transaction volumes fell 23% and transaction value declined 13% in 2025.
Bharat BillPay transaction volumes rose 40% to 3.05 billion in 2025.
Bharat BillPay transaction value nearly doubled to ₹14.84 trillion in 2025.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches pilot ‘Awareness Program on Digital Payments’ for 10 lakh participants in Maharashtra. (Mid of March)▼
The sixth edition of Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) is being observed during March 9-13, 2026.
RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra launched the pilot program titled 'Awareness Program on Digital Payments'.
The pilot will be conducted in Maharashtra in partnership with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited.
The pilot will include in-person awareness programs for 10 lakh participants in rural and semi-urban areas through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
RBI also launched a multi-media awareness campaign 'Thoda Dhyan Se' to encourage users to be careful while making payments and transacting online.
Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra interacted with Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of select Payment Systems Operators (PSOs) after the launch.
Deputy Governors Shri T Rabi Sankar, Dr Poonam Gupta, and Shri S C Murmu attended the launch event.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues Digital Payments: E-mandate Framework, 2026 (End of April)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Digital Payments: E-mandate Framework, 2026, consolidating all existing guidelines on recurring digital payments into a single master framework.
The framework applies to recurring domestic and cross-border transactions processed through cards, prepaid payment instruments (PPIs), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Customers opting for recurring payment facilities must complete a one-time registration process requiring validation through an Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA).
Issuers must send pre-transaction notifications at least 24 hours before the debit, including merchant name, transaction amount, date and time of debit, reference number of the e-mandate, and reason for the debit.
Pre-transaction notifications are not required for auto-replenishment of FASTag balances and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) balances.
The RBI retained a threshold allowing recurring transactions of up to ₹15,000 per transaction without additional authentication.
Recurring payments of up to ₹1 lakh per transaction without additional authentication are permitted for insurance premium payments, mutual fund subscriptions, and credit card bill payments.
No charges may be levied on customers for availing e-mandate services for recurring transactions.
The RBI repealed multiple earlier circulars issued between 2019 and 2024 relating to recurring payment processing through cards, UPI, and other digital channels.
National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) launches India's first rainfall-based weather derivatives contract RAINMUMBAI
Key Updates:
National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) announced the launch of RAINMUMBAI, a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-approved exchange-traded weather derivatives contract, scheduled for May 29, 2026.
The contract was developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay and uses official rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
RAINMUMBAI is based on a scientifically structured Cumulative Deviation Rainfall (CDR) index, which measures deviation of actual rainfall from the Long Period Average (LPA) for monsoon months (June to September).
The framework is benchmarked against a robust 30-year historical dataset (1991–2020 LPA) to ensure transparency and reliability.
Unlike traditional insurance, these weather derivatives are settled purely on observed data, eliminating the need for loss assessment and enabling faster settlement cycles.
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Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune Launches India’s First Dedicated Climate-Tech Incubation Hub (Mid of May)▼
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has launched a dedicated Incubation Center for Startups in Weather and Climate.
The incubation facility is a core pillar of the National Enterprise for Atmospheric Technology (NEAT), a flagship vertical under the MoES 'Mission Mausam' programme.
The centre was inaugurated by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of MoES, during the 'Weather and Climate Innovation Meet for Startups and Entrepreneurs (WISE-2026)'.
The initiative aims to create scalable solutions for sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, aviation, urban planning, healthcare, disaster management, water resources, food security, and logistics and transportation.
The MoES defined four strategic pillars for the weather intelligence ecosystem: Advanced Observations, AI-Driven Modeling, User-Specific Applications, and Dissemination and Last-Mile Delivery.
The government has provided open-access scientific resources including remote sensing datasets, atmospheric reanalysis data, weather observations, climate modeling resources, and forecast archives.
Institutions participating in WISE-2026 included the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), IISER Pune, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Gandhinagar, ICRISAT, and IITM.
Key emerging applications identified include precision agriculture advisories, AI-based disease forecasting systems, renewable energy forecasting, urban flood prediction models, heatwave risk analytics, climate insurance products, smart disaster warning systems, and water stress prediction platforms.
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) to launch natural gas derivatives linked to domestic benchmark GIXI (Start of April)▼
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and Indian Gas Exchange Ltd (IGX) will introduce exchange-traded derivatives based on natural gas traded on the IGX platform.
NSE will launch Indian natural gas derivative contracts linked to IGX’s benchmark price index GIXI (Gas IndeX of India).
Pricing of the contracts will be tied to actual trades on the exchange.
The move aims to strengthen India’s domestic gas market by offering risk management tools to stakeholders across the value chain.
The contracts will provide a transparent mechanism for hedging price risks and offer financial institutions, brokers and investors exposure to the domestic natural gas derivatives market.
NSE has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch Indian natural gas futures.
Launch date to be announced later.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bars banks from offering non-deliverable INR derivatives and rebooking cancelled contracts (Start of April)▼
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred authorised dealers from offering non-deliverable derivative contracts involving the Indian rupee to residents or non-residents.
Deliverable foreign exchange derivatives allowed only for hedging and users must not hold offsetting non-deliverable positions.
Rebooking of any cancelled foreign exchange derivative contract involving INR is not permitted after the circular issued on Wednesday.
Authorised dealers are prohibited from undertaking INR derivative transactions with related parties as defined under Ind AS 24 or IAS 24.
The revised directions are effective immediately and issued under FEMA provisions until further review.
The Indian rupee appreciated 2 per cent to 92.94 per dollar following the central bank’s measures to curb speculative trading.
Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) to Issue First Credits by October 2026 (End of February)▼
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) announced that India will issue its first carbon credits under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in October 2026.
The scheme consists of two primary components: a mandatory compliance component covering 800 units in nine sectors and a voluntary offset component.
The BEE has already issued emission targets for approximately 490 units across seven sectors through notifications in October 2025 and January 2026.
The initial phase of the carbon trading operations will exclude the steel and fertiliser sectors, despite them being among the most polluting industries.
A dedicated portal for project registration and participation in the scheme is scheduled to be launched on 20 March 2026.
The Ministry of Power (MoP) is overseeing the draft scheme, which aligns with global designs such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
The first cycle of targets for the 2025-26 financial year will conclude on 31 March 2026, followed by a seven-month period for verification, assessment, and issuance.
Trading of the issued carbon credits is expected to take place between November 2026 and January 2027.
Bajaj General Insurance Launches MHCP EDGE Plus Health Plan with Coverage up to INR 5 Crores
Key Updates:
Bajaj General Insurance Limited (formerly Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited) has launched 'My Health Care Plan Edge+' (MHCP EDGE+), a comprehensive health indemnity plan.
The plan offers sum insured options ranging from INR 5 Lakhs up to INR 5 Crores with unlimited reinstatement within a policy year.
Key features include a modular design with add-ons such as Consumables Plus, Super Cumulative Bonus, and Major Illness and Accident Multiplier.
The Age Shield rider allows customers to lock their premium at entry age until a claim is made, and Smart Tenure enables pooling of sum insured across the policy tenure.
The plan is available for individual and family floater options with lifetime renewability, policy tenures up to five years, and coverage starting from 3 months of age.
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Tata AIA Life Insurance launches Shubh Health Criti unit-linked plan (Start of May)▼
Tata AIA Life Insurance (TATA AIA) has launched Shubh Health Criti, a unit-linked life insurance plan that combines life cover with a market-linked health fund.
The plan provides coverage for over 60 critical illnesses.
Shubh Health Criti enables policyholders to accumulate funds and withdraw them tax-free for treatment and related medical expenses.
The plan locks in premiums for 30 years and includes a premium waiver in case of death or disability.
The policy includes dual-life outpatient (OPD) coverage, accidental death and disability benefits, and a terminal illness rider.
The product is integrated with Health Buddy, a wellness platform by TATA AIA that provides cancer screenings, routine health check-ups, and personalised health tracking.
Department of Financial Services (DFS) launches USD 1.5 billion Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) (Mid of May)▼
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance launched the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) with a total capacity of USD 1.5 billion.
The BMIP is supported by a sovereign guarantee of USD 1.4 billion, equivalent to ₹12,980 crore, to provide maritime insurance amid global geopolitical tensions.
The General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) will function as the pool administrator, overseen by a newly constituted governing body and underwriting committee.
The pool provides coverage for hull and machinery, cargo, protection and indemnity (P&I), and war risks for Indian-flagged or India-linked vessels.
Under the pool structure, claims up to USD 100 million will be met through pooled capacity, while higher claims will be backed by the sovereign guarantee.
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance launched the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP).
The BMIP has a total capacity of USD 1.5 billion and a sovereign guarantee of USD 1.4 billion (₹12,980 crore).
The General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) will act as the pool administrator.
The pool covers hull and machinery, cargo, protection and indemnity (P&I), and war risks for Indian-flagged or India-linked vessels.
Claims up to USD 100 million will be met through pooled capacity, while higher claims will be backed by the sovereign guarantee after exhausting reserves and reinsurance arrangements.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) forms sub-committee to review private health insurance ecosystem (Start of April)▼
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has constituted a sub-committee under its Insurance Advisory Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of India’s private health insurance ecosystem.
The panel will examine coverage, claims experience, product design, grievance redressal mechanisms, and overall consumer experience.
It will recommend regulatory, policy, and operational measures to drive innovation, expand coverage, and improve financial protection for policyholders.
The sub-committee will assess healthcare provider networks, hospital tariffs, fraud control mechanisms, and digital infrastructure.
It will explore complementarity, portability, and convergence between private health insurance and public health assurance schemes.
The panel will incorporate recommendations from working groups set up by the Confederation of Indian Industry, including a joint code of conduct for insurers and healthcare providers and scaling up of the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX).
Delhi Government Reinstates Green Helpline and Proposes ₹5 Crore Themed Forest Project
Key Updates:
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reinstated the Green Helpline (1800-118-600) and instituted a new standard operating procedure to report tree-related offences.
The Department of Forest and Wildlife floated a tender estimated at ₹5 crore to develop four themed forests named Tirthankar Van, Ritu Van, Rashi Van, and Panchvati Van on the Central Ridge.
The project envisages clearing over 40,000 square metres of forest land and authorises mechanised excavation, earthwork, and canopy pruning within the 1.5-billion-year-old forest area.
Data indicates the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) approved 97 per cent of proposals between 2014 and 2026, clearing 2,121 out of 2,186 reviewed projects.
The Delhi government proposed establishing 13 new gaushalas (cow shelters), one in each district, to be integrated with the ridge and forest areas to address overcrowding.
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Varkala selected in UN’s inaugural 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste initiative (Start of April)▼
Varkala in Kerala is among the 20 cities chosen for the inaugural 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste initiative led by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste with support from UN-Habitat and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The selected cities are Accra (Ghana), Bologna (Italy), Chefchaouen (Morocco), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Dehiwala City (Sri Lanka), Florianopolis (Brazil), Gaziantep (Turkey), George Town (Malaysia), Hangzhou City (China), Iloilo City (Philippines), Kisumu (Kenya), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Lilongwe (Malawi), San Fernando (Philippines), San Francisco (United States), Sanya City (China), Suzhou City (China), Varkala (India), Yokohama (Japan), and Zapopan (Mexico).
The initiative recognises cities demonstrating ambitious and innovative approaches to reducing waste, advancing circular economy solutions, and building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban systems.
International Day of Zero Waste is observed annually on 30 March and is jointly facilitated by UNEP and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
This year’s International Day of Zero Waste focuses on food waste, with around 60 per cent of food waste occurring at the household level and nearly 19 per cent of all food available to consumers wasted every year.
Humanity generates more than 2.1 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, making cities critical in tackling the waste crisis and its impacts on climate, biodiversity, public health, and livelihoods.
Vantara launches world’s first global university for wildlife and veterinary sciences in Jamnagar, Gujarat. (Mid of April)▼
Vantara University, the world’s first integrated global university dedicated to wildlife conservation and veterinary sciences, was launched in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Anant Ambani, Reliance Industries Executive Director and founder of Vantara, stated that the university is shaped by witnessing animals in distress and recognising the need for greater capability in their care.
The university will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, fellowship, and specialised programmes across disciplines including wildlife medicine and surgery, nutrition, behavioural sciences, genetics, epidemiology, One Health, conservation policy, and naturalistic animal care environment design.
The foundation ceremony, conducted in accordance with Hindu traditions, brought together representatives from academia, science, conservation, and public life.
Joginipally Santosh Kumar Honoured as Global Green Icon (End of April)▼
Joginipally Santosh Kumar, a former Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, was conferred the title of "Global Green Icon" at the World Climate Leaders Conclave held at the House of Lords in London, United Kingdom (UK).
The award recognised his contributions to ecological restoration, large-scale afforestation, and citizen-led climate action initiatives from the Global South.
He is the founder of the Green India Challenge, a citizen-led afforestation movement that mobilises students and farmers across India for tree planting and ecological rewilding.
The recognition highlighted the Telanganaku Haritha Haram programme in Telangana, which aimed to increase the state's green cover from 21 per cent to 33 per cent by planting 2.8 billion trees.
The Telanganaku Haritha Haram programme resulted in a nearly 8 per cent increase in green cover and an increase in the tiger population in the Nallamala forest region from 12 to 44.
Joginipally Santosh Kumar serves as the Chairman of the Igniting Minds Organisation, a section-8 non-profit.
His environmental work has received recognition at international forums, including the Conference of the Parties (COP29) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16.
IIT Bombay and Honeywell Partner to Establish Centre of Excellence for Sustainability Skills in Mumbai (Mid of March)▼
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Honeywell have partnered to establish the IIT Bombay–Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills and Innovation at the Powai campus in Mumbai.
The initiative is funded by the Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation and aims to train more than 100,000 students in sustainability-related fields by 2030.
The centre will offer certificate-based programmes and research grants to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students from across India.
The curriculum focuses on five specific learning tracks: sustainability reporting, sustainable finance, energy security, sustainability infrastructure, and policy advocacy.
A two-month pilot phase will establish core infrastructure and train an initial cohort of 250 students, with subsequent phases targeting 20,000 students annually.
The project aims to address the skilled professional shortage in the renewable energy sector as India targets the creation of 3.4 million green jobs by 2030, according to the Economic Survey 2023-24.
Delhi Government hikes ration card income limit to ₹2.5 lakh
Key Updates:
The Delhi government has proposed to increase the income limit for ration card eligibility to ₹2.5 lakh per annum.
The current income criterion for ration card eligibility in Delhi is capped at ₹1.2 lakh per annum.
Approximately 7.72 lakh invalid ration cards have been cancelled by the government following an intensive audit.
The cancelled cards comprise 1.44 lakh beneficiaries not fulfilling the income criterion, 35,800 who did not receive ration, 29,580 who died, and 23,394 duplicates.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that no new ration cards had been issued in Delhi over the past 13 years.
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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) caps bank dividend payouts at 75% of Profit After Tax (PAT) (Mid of March)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised prudential norms for dividend declaration and profit remittance, effective from Financial Year (FY) 2026-27.
The revised framework applies to commercial banks, Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Payment Banks (PBs), Local Area Banks (LABs), and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
The RBI has capped the dividend payout ratio at 75% of the Profit After Tax (PAT) for the relevant financial year.
A new metric called Adjusted PAT has been introduced, calculated by deducting 50% of a bank's net Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) from the PAT as of March 31.
Dividend eligibility is linked to capital adequacy levels, specifically the Common Equity Tier-1 (CET1) ratio for commercial banks.
Banks must report dividend declaration details to the Department of Supervision of the RBI within a fortnight of the declaration.
Distributable profits exclude exceptional income, unrealised gains from Level-3 financial instruments, and profits affected by modified audit opinions.
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) System and Mandatory e-KYC for Ration (Mid of May)▼
The Department of Civil Supplies has directed beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) to complete mandatory e-KYC registration for the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) system.
The CBDC system was introduced in the Union Territory of Puducherry on 26 February 2026, replacing the previous Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) - Cash model.
Under the new scheme, beneficiaries are issued a digital currency (e-wallet) that remains valid for a period of three months from the date of issuance.
Beneficiaries must visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) with their Aadhaar and Ration cards to complete the e-KYC process free of cost.
The digital currency provided through the e-wallet is specifically intended for purchasing ration, such as rice, within the three-month validity period.
CBDC-Based Food Subsidy Pilot under PMGKAY launched in Puducherry (End of February)▼
The Government of India will launch a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Food Subsidy Distribution Pilot under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Puducherry on 26 February 2026.
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi will inaugurate the pilot.
Eligible PMGKAY beneficiaries will receive food subsidy as programmable CBDC tokens credited directly to their CBDC wallets issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The tokens will be redeemable exclusively for entitled foodgrains and usable only at authorised Fair Price Shops (FPS) and designated merchants.
The pilot integrates the RBI-issued Digital Rupee into the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) framework to create a secure, instant, traceable and programmable subsidy distribution mechanism.
Implementing partners include the Government of Puducherry, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and Canara Bank as the designated banking partner.
Following the Puducherry rollout, the pilot will be expanded in a phased manner to additional beneficiaries and other Union Territories based on performance and outcomes.
President Murmu launches Pink National Common Mobility Card and three women-centric schemes in Delhi (Start of March)▼
President Droupadi Murmu launched four women-centric welfare schemes of the Delhi government at the Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi programme.
The event was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
The Pink National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) was launched to provide integrated transport access and strengthen women's independence and safety.
A scheme providing two free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders annually to ration card-holding families on Holi and Diwali was introduced.
The LPG scheme involves a ₹129-crore benefit to be transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
The Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana and the Meri Poonji, Mera Adhikar initiative were also launched during the event.
JEEVAN App and SHATAYU Dashboard for Senior Citizens and Geriatric Care
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE) will organise a virtual programme on “Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy” on 22 May 2026.
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar will launch the JEEVAN Mobile Application for Senior Citizens.
The SHATAYU Dashboard will be launched to provide information on Geriatric Caregivers.
The care economy includes activities related to childcare, eldercare, disability support, health related home care, and domestic services.
The initiative aims to develop a comprehensive framework for care services by leveraging technology and community participation.
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Ayush Anudan Portal launched to strengthen digital governance and transparency in grant management (End of May)▼
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.
Jiyo Parsi portal records 300 fresh registrations at Mumbai facilitation camp (Start of April)▼
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) and Bombay Parsi Panchayat organised a Universal Parsi Registration Drive in Mumbai that recorded 300 fresh registrations on the Jiyo Parsi portal.
Jiyo Parsi, launched in 2013-14, is a Central Sector Scheme to arrest the declining Parsi population.
The scheme provides medical assistance for fertility treatment and pregnancy-related care, financial assistance for childcare and care of dependent elderly, and advocacy through counselling, awareness campaigns, and outreach programmes.
Assistance is released via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after biometric authentication and verification by respective state governments.
Census data show Parsi population declined from 1,14,000 in 1941 to 57,264 in 2011.
Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, Rs 17.64 crore was spent and 232 babies were born under the scheme.
An evaluation by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in 2025 found the scheme largely successful in reaching its intended population.
JANANI: Digital Maternal and Child Healthcare Platform for Unified Health Services (Start of May)▼
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care) to unify pregnancy tracking and newborn care under a digital system.
Developed as an upgraded version of the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal, the platform was unveiled at the National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India’s Health Future.
The platform has recorded 1.34 crore beneficiary registrations, over 30 lakh registrations of pregnant women, over 30 lakh Mother and Child Health (MCH) cards, and over 1 lakh biometric verifications.
JANANI features QR-enabled digital MCH cards and interoperability with other platforms including U-WIN and POSHAN for seamless data exchange.
Registration is available through Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), Aadhaar-linked OTP or biometric verification, and mobile numbers.
MeHEALTH app launched by Kerala Health Department to provide nearby public health-care facility information (Start of March)▼
Kerala Health Department launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to help users access information about nearby public health-care facilities and services.
Users can view details of nearby hospitals, specialty departments, laboratory tests, test rates, blood banks, paywards, radiology services, and pharmacies.
The app allows advance booking of appointments in hospitals where the e-Health project is implemented.
Information on Janakeeya Aarogya Kendrams (formerly subcentres), government homoeopathy hospitals, and Karunya pharmacies is available through the app.
Users must install the app and log in using their phone number and OTP; linking Aadhaar enables online OP ticket and doctor appointment booking.
The app shows the exact distance and route to health-care facilities using integrated Google Maps navigation.
The 'Nearby Services' option displays hospitals within a 10-km radius and allows filtering by specialty, services, ambulances, blood banks, laboratories, paywards, radiology, JAK centres, pharmacies, and homoeopathy clinics.
India and African Union (AU) postpone Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled for May 28-31
Key Updates:
India and the African Union (AU) decided to postpone the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV).
The IAFS IV was originally scheduled to take place in New Delhi from May 28 to 31.
The summit was deferred due to the evolving public health situation in parts of Africa linked to the Ebola scare.
India expressed its readiness to contribute to efforts led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to address the health situation.
Over 30 heads of state and governments had confirmed their presence at the summit.
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World Health Organization (WHO) declares Ebola outbreak in Central Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (Mid of May)▼
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist.
As of 16 May, Ituri Province in eastern DRC recorded eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths.
Confirmed cases have been reported in the DRC capital, Kinshasa, and in Uganda, where two infected individuals were admitted to intensive care.
At least four deaths among healthcare workers have been recorded, raising concerns regarding infection prevention measures in health facilities.
PM Modi and US President Trump expected to meet at G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France from June 15-17, 2026 (End of May)▼
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.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Confirms Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda (Mid of May)▼
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) confirmed an Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), recording 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases.
Cases in the DRC were primarily reported in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with four deaths among laboratory-confirmed cases.
Uganda's Health Ministry reported one imported death in Kampala involving a Congolese national.
The Africa CDC is convening a meeting with the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and global partners to reinforce cross-border surveillance and response efforts.
First detected in 1976, the Ebola virus is endemic to the tropical forests of the DRC and is transmitted through direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids.
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 and South Korea jointly inaugurate Indian War Memorial in Seoul on 21 May 2026 to mark 75th anniversary of Korean War
Key Updates:
The Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park in Seoul was jointly inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korean Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul on 21 May 2026.
The memorial commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and honours the Indian Army's 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India for their medical assistance and post-war peacekeeping during the 1950-53 conflict.
The 60 Para Field Ambulance, commanded by Lt Col A G Rangaraj, Maha Vir Chakra, was given the title 'Maroon Angels' by South Korean civilians and soldiers for its humanitarian work under heavy crossfire.
The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at cooperation in honouring Korean War veterans and released a memoir dedicated to soldiers who served during the conflict.
The memorial stands at the site where the Custodian Force of India established 'Hind Nagar' in September 1954, housing nearly 22,000 prisoners of war before their peaceful repatriation.
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Names of 33,000 Indian soldiers added to First World War memorial on April 24, 2026 (End of April)▼
The Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) introduced digital name panels for the Basra Memorial in Iraq.
The digital memorial includes the names of 33,000 Indian Army soldiers who died during the First World War.
These soldiers were part of the Mesopotamia Campaign, which took place in Iraq, then known as Mesopotamia.
The digital memorial lists the Indian soldiers alongside over 46,000 Commonwealth service personnel.
Shrabani Basu, a CWGC Global Advisory Panel member, is the author of the book 'For King and Another Country: Indian Soldiers on the Western Front 1914-18'.
The CWGC commemorates over 1.7 million Commonwealth service personnel who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
India and Republic of Korea sign strategic defence MoU on 20 May 2026 (End of May)▼
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.
KG George, 1965 India-Pakistan War Veteran and Vir Chakra Recipient, Dies at 95 (Start of March)▼
Retired Lance Havildar K G George, a veteran of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, passed away at the age of 95 in Kottayam, Kerala.
He was a recipient of the Vir Chakra, which is the third highest wartime gallantry award in India.
George served in the Indian Army's Corps of Signals, a unit that was established on 15 February 1911.
He was cited for restoring disrupted communications in the Wagah Sector in Pakistan under persistent enemy shelling between 6 and 10 September 1965.
On the night of 8 and 9 September 1965, he established a vital line of communication from Brigade Headquarters to forward battalions during an enemy attack.
Born in February 1931 in Kerala, the veteran was recognised for displaying courage and devotion to duty of a high order during his military service.
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 Fast-tracks Rs 2,600 Crore Hydropower Projects on Chenab River on 21 May 2026
Key Updates:
India has launched two major projects worth nearly Rs 2,600 crore on the Chenab River after putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) framework with Pakistan in abeyance.
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) will execute the projects, including the Rs 2,352 crore Chenab–Beas Link Tunnel Project in the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh.
The Chenab–Beas Link Tunnel involves constructing an 8.7-km tunnel and a 19-metre-high barrage to divert water from the Chandra river into the Beas river system.
The Dulhasti Stage-II project in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir aims to increase hydropower generation capacity near Koskar village.
The Centre has also fast-tracked other Chenab basin projects, including the 1,856-MW Sawalkote project in Ramban district, alongside Kiru, Kwar, Ratle, and Pakal Dul.
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Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Project Chetak marks 47th foundation day. (Start of April)▼
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated the 47th foundation day of Project Chetak on Saturday in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Project Chetak was launched on 4 April 1980 and operates in northern Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat.
The project maintains over 4,000 km of roads and a 214-km ditch-cum-bund.
Its motto is “Chetak’s Effort, Nation’s Development.”
BRO’s Project Seva celebrated its 66th foundation day on 15 February in Dimapur.
Project Seva, initiated in 1961, serves Nagaland and Manipur and is headquartered in Dimapur.
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).
Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) oversees expansion of 20-plus expressways (Mid of March)▼
Uttar Pradesh has more than 20 expressways operational, under construction, or in the planning stage.
Yamuna Expressway spans 165.5 km with six lanes, completed in 2012 at an estimated cost of ₹13,300 crore.
Agra–Lucknow Expressway stretches 302 km and reduced travel time between Agra and Lucknow to about three and a half hours.
Purvanchal Expressway covers 340 km, connecting Lucknow to Ghazipur and passing through Sultanpur, Azamgarh, and Ambedkar Nagar districts.
Bundelkhand Expressway is 296 km long and supports the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.
Ganga Expressway will connect Meerut to Prayagraj over 594 km and is expected to be completed around 2026.
Proposed expressways include Lucknow–Kanpur, Ghaziabad–Kanpur, Ayodhya–Varanasi, Gorakhpur–Siliguri, and Gorakhpur–Shamli corridors.
Total expressway length in Uttar Pradesh could exceed 3,000 kilometres once upcoming projects are completed.
PM Gati Shakti Plan: ₹4,474 crore multitracking projects approved for West Bengal and Jharkhand (Mid of March)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two railway multitracking projects worth ₹4,474 crore.
The projects will add fourth lines on the Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur routes, adding about 192 km across West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Proposed by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), the works are scheduled for completion by 2030–31 under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The expansion will benefit around 5,652 villages with a combined population of nearly 1.47 crore people.
Freight movement is expected to rise by about 31 million tonnes annually, saving an estimated six crore litres of oil and cutting carbon emissions by nearly 28 crore kg.
India and Sweden Upgrade Bilateral Ties to Strategic Partnership
Key Updates:
India and Sweden have upgraded their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.
The two nations launched the Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0 and the India-Sweden Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Corridor.
India and Sweden have set an ambitious goal to double their bilateral trade in the next five years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was highlighted as a connectivity project adding value to the India-Europe business partnership.
Collaboration areas identified include telecom and digital infrastructure, electronics, deep tech manufacturing, AI, green energy, infrastructure, mobility, urban transformation, healthcare, and life science.
Swedish companies were invited to participate in the Make in India initiative, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the National Critical Mineral Mission.
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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes European tour visiting Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy (End of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in the Netherlands.
Bilateral trade between India and the Netherlands was valued at USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The 16th European Union (EU)-India summit held in January resulted in the completion of negotiations for a free trade agreement to reduce tariffs and red tape.
The third India-Nordic summit in Oslo involves cooperation between India and Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland on technology, renewable energies, defence, space, and the Arctic region.
India and Italy committed to a Joint Strategic Action Plan in 2024 to enhance cooperation in security, defence, and safe and legal migration channels.
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.
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.
Tata Power and Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) Sign Pact for Clean Energy Training in Bhutan
Key Updates:
Tata Power and Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) signed an initial pact to build a training framework for developing 5,000 MW clean energy capacity in Bhutan.
The training programmes will be delivered through the Tata Power Skill Development Institute (TPSDI) to bridge the skill gap in the power sector.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power, and Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director of DGPC.
TPSDI operates a robust training network across India, offering hands-on training in thermal, hydel, and renewable energy technologies.
The collaboration focuses on technologies including solar, wind, and green hydrogen to strengthen local capabilities for the clean energy sector in Bhutan.
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Union Power Minister launches Indian Carbon Market Portal at Prakriti 2026 conference in New Delhi. (End of March)▼
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) organised Prakriti 2026 under the patronage of the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Indian Carbon Market Portal serves as the central platform for implementing and administering the Indian Carbon Market.
India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 has nine notified methodologies and over 40 registered entities submitting projects in biogas, hydrogen, and forestry.
The government has notified Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors.
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.
First Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) concludes with focus on clean energy transition (End of March)▼
The maiden Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) concluded at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, with over 35,000 exhibition attendees, 28 States/Union Territories, 200+ exhibiting companies including 80+ Start-ups, 6,000+ delegates, 300+ speakers, and 100+ conference sessions.
India has crossed over 50% non-fossil fuel capacity and targets 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal announced that the next edition of BES will be held in 2028 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Three reports were released: Rating Regulatory Performance of States and Union Territories 2025 by Power Foundation of India; Ash Generation and Utilisation at coal/lignite-based Grid Connected thermal power stations for 2024-25 by Central Electricity Authority (CEA); and Establishing a Sodium-ion Battery Ecosystem in India by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
Indian Navy launches Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel Sanghmitra on 21 May 2026
Key Updates:
The Indian Navy launched 'Sanghmitra', a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
The vessel, designated as Yard 3039, was launched by Sarita Vatsayan, Vice President of the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA).
'Sanghmitra' is part of a programme to build 11 NGOPVs simultaneously at two shipyards, namely GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited.
The ship is named after the daughter of Emperor Ashoka and its crest features the constellation Ursa Major and a red-and-white lighthouse motif.
The vessels are designed for maritime surveillance, coastal and offshore defence, search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), anti-piracy patrols, and protection of offshore assets.
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Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers delivers three warships to Indian Navy (Start of April)▼
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered three frontline platforms to the Indian Navy.
The delivered vessels include the guided missile frigate INS Dunagiri, the survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, and the anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft INS Agray.
INS Dunagiri is the second advanced guided missile frigate built by GRSE under Project 17A and measures 149 metres in length with a displacement of 6,670 tonnes.
INS Dunagiri is equipped with BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles and an integrated combat management system for multi-dimensional operations.
INS Sanshodhak is the last of four large survey vessels built by GRSE and is equipped for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys.
INS Agray is one of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft being built by GRSE and is armed with lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare rockets.
Indian Navy inducts three indigenous warships from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) (Start of April)▼
The Indian Navy inducted three indigenously built vessels — Dunagiri, Sanshodhak and Agray — from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
Dunagiri is the fifth Nilgiri-class stealth frigate under Project 17A and is equipped with BrahMos missiles, rockets and torpedoes.
Sanshodhak is a Survey Vessel (Large) designed for coastal and deep-water hydrographic operations and is the fourth ship in its class after INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak and INS Ikshak.
Agray is the fourth of eight Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts (ASW SWC) built to enhance underwater threat detection and coastal surveillance.
Keel laying of second and third Next-Generation OPVs held at Ratnagiri Shipyard. (Mid of March)▼
The keel laying ceremony of Yard 16402 and 16403, the second and third of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), took place at YMPL, Ratnagiri on 17 March 2026.
The vessels are being constructed under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category of India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Each OPV will measure 117 metres in length, have a range of 5,000 nautical miles, and attain a maximum speed of 23 knots.
The ships will carry 11 officers and 110 men and feature AI-based predictive maintenance systems, Remote Piloted Drones, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
The contract for six Next Generation OPVs was signed on 20 December 2023 at a total cost of ₹1,614.89 crore.
Four of the six vessels will replace aging OPVs while the remaining two will augment the ICG fleet to enhance surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime pollution response, and humanitarian assistance.
Indian Navy receives INS Sanshodhak, completing four-vessel Large Survey Ship programme (Start of April)▼
Indian Navy took delivery of fourth Survey Vessel (Large) INS Sanshodhak on 30 March from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
Contract for four survey vessels was signed in October 2018 and project spanned eight years.
Earlier ships INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak and INS Ikshak were commissioned between February 2024 and November 2025.
INS Sanshodhak displaces approximately 3,400 tonnes, measures 110 metres in length and can exceed 18 knots speed.
Vessel is fitted with autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and digital side-scan sonar.
Indigenous content surpasses 80 per cent by cost.
Keel was laid in June 2022, vessel launched in June 2023 and underwent extensive harbour and sea trials.
Survey Vessel (Large) class designed by Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built to Indian Register of Shipping classification rules.
Vessels conduct coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys and collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civilian use.
GRSE also delivered stealth frigate Dunagiri and anti-submarine craft Agray on same day, taking shipyard's total to 118 warships built including 80 for Indian Navy.
NIBE Limited tests Suryastra rockets with 300 km range off Odisha on May 18 and 19, 2026
Key Updates:
NIBE Limited (NIBE) successfully conducted firing demonstrations of EXTRA (150 km range) and Predator Hawk (300 km range) "Suryastra" rockets.
The trials were carried out on May 18 and 19, 2026, at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.
The rockets achieved a circular error probable (CEP) of 1.5 m and 2 m respectively, validating long-range precision strike capabilities.
The Indian Army issued a purchase order in January for the supply of Suryastra rockets and the universal rocket launcher under emergency procurement.
Suryastra is India's first indigenous, universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system featuring a modular launcher and shoot-and-scoot capabilities on an all-terrain tactical truck chassis.
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India's DRDO and IAF conduct maiden flight-trial of indigenous TARA glide weapon system on 8 May 2026 (Start of May)▼
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully carried out the maiden flight-trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha.
TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system designed to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons using a modular range extension kit.
The weapon system was designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a Hyderabad-based DRDO laboratory, in collaboration with other facilities.
The TARA system incorporates state-of-the-art low-cost technologies and was developed with the support of Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPPs) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Indian defence industries have already initiated production activities for the TARA system, which aims to enhance the range, accuracy, and lethality of low-cost munitions.
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completes trials of ULPGM-V3 missile on 20 May 2026 (End of May)▼
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.
OmSpace Rocket and Exploration (OSRE) Test-Fires Sounding Rocket in Gujarat (Mid of March)▼
OmSpace Rocket and Exploration (OSRE) successfully launched a 4.2-metre sounding rocket from Bavaliyari near Dholera, becoming the first entity to launch a rocket from Gujarat.
The single-stage sub-orbital rocket reached a target altitude of 3 kilometres before executing a safe landing using a dual-parachute recovery system.
The mission validated several indigenous technologies, including a 3D-printed torch igniter, a sugar-based solid propellant motor, and a carbon fibre and advanced composites-based airframe.
The rocket components were entirely researched, developed, and manufactured in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The launch was conducted with permissions from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
The data from this flight will be used to develop Infinity One, an orbital-class reusable launch vehicle currently under development by OSRE.
The event was attended by the Gujarat State Science and Technology Minister, Arjun Modhwadia.
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.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) develops world's first AI-designed gene editor for crops
Key Updates:
Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Central Rice Research Institute developed the world's first AI-designed genome-editing tool for plants.
The tool functions as a molecular scalpel to rewrite plant DNA to develop traits such as disease resistance, climate resilience, and higher yield.
Unlike existing CRISPR systems that rely on naturally occurring microbial proteins, this tool uses artificial intelligence to design entirely new enzymes from scratch.
The research team was led by scientist Kutubuddin Ali Molla.
The AI-designed enzymes enable gene knockout, base editing, and prime editing in crops.
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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar launches India's first fully integrated agricultural intelligence system (End of April)▼
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has launched India’s first fully integrated agricultural intelligence system.
The system was developed by the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in AI for Agriculture, ANNAM.AI.
The intelligence ecosystem comprises advanced weather stations called Swan, Krishi intelligence call centres, and the Annam chat engine (ACE).
The platform integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), climate science, and multilingual advisory systems.
The AI architecture consists of three layers: the infrastructure layer (micro-climate intelligence units), the intelligence layer (Krishi AI), and the engagement layer (ACE).
The CoE at IIT Ropar was established under a ₹990-crore national initiative to create three AI Centres of Excellence.
The system is currently operating in Punjab and is designed to reduce water usage by 20–30 per cent and prevent 9–12 per cent of crop losses caused by sudden weather events.
The ecosystem includes an offline AI capability that allows farmers to access insights without internet connectivity.
New Seed Act and Revised Pesticide Act to Increase Agricultural Production and Farmer Income (Start of March)▼
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the implementation of a new Seed Act and a revised Pesticide Act.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, to improve agricultural production and farmers' income.
The Central Government is updating a digital platform under the Ek Bharat initiative to provide a single-point information source for farmers.
An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system has been developed to facilitate access to essential agricultural information.
East Bengal FC wins Indian Super League (ISL) title
Key Updates:
East Bengal FC (EBFC) secured their first Indian Super League (ISL) title by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
The victory ended a 22-year-old top-tier title drought for the club, which last won the domestic league during the 2003-04 season of the National Football League (NFL).
EBFC finished the campaign with 26 points from 13 matches, winning the championship on a superior goal difference of 19 compared to the 13 of Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG).
Striker Youssef Ezzejjari won the Golden Boot award after finishing as the highest goal-scorer of the league with 11 strikes from 13 matches.
The ISL season followed a shortened, single-leg round-robin format consisting of 13 matches where the league table topper was crowned the outright champion without post-season playoffs.
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Jammu and Kashmir beat Karnataka to clinch maiden Ranji Trophy title (Start of March)▼
Jammu and Kashmir secured their first Ranji Trophy title by taking a 291-run first innings lead and ending the final in a draw against Karnataka at KSCA Stadium, Hubballi.
Qamran Iqbal scored 160 not out and Sahil Lotra hit 101 not out in Jammu and Kashmir's second innings total of 342/4 on day five.
Auqib Nabi took five wickets in the final, his seventh five-wicket haul of the season.
Jammu and Kashmir had previously reached the quarterfinals in 2013-14, 2019-20 and 2024-25 seasons but never won the title until now.
Skipper Paras Dogra became the second batter to surpass 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs during the season.
RCB sold for $1.78 bn to Aditya Birla, Times of India-led consortium (End of March)▼
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was acquired for $1.78 billion (around ₹16,600 crore) by a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group and The Times of India Group, along with Bolt Ventures and Blackstone.
The franchise is being acquired from United Spirits Limited (USL), a subsidiary of Diageo plc.
The transaction is subject to approvals from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council.
After the 2026 IPL season, Aryaman Vikram Birla will become chairman and Satyan Gajwani of The Times of India Group will serve as vice-chairman of RCB.
United Spirits had originally bought the Bengaluru franchise in 2008 for $111.6 million (around ₹485 crore).
RCB won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in 2024 and its maiden IPL trophy in 2025.
India defeats New Zealand to defend T20 World Cup title (Start of March)▼
India defended their T20 World Cup title by beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
India posted 255 for 5 in 20 overs; Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 off 46 balls.
New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs; Tim Seifert made 52 off 26 balls.
Jasprit Bumrah took 4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs for India.
International Biodiversity Day theme Acting Locally for Global Impact
Key Updates:
The theme for International Biodiversity Day is Acting Locally for Global Impact.
The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT (Alliance) houses Future Seeds, a conservation and research hub containing 67,000 samples of beans, cassava, and tropical forages.
The 3rd International Agrobiodiversity Congress was convened in Kunming, China, by the Alliance, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), and Yunnan University.
The Kunming Manifesto on Agrobiodiversity was adopted as a guide for decision-makers to better incorporate agrobiodiversity in food and land systems.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) established the initiative on Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition to collect scientific examples for national strategies and action plans.
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World Bee Day observed on May 20 with theme protecting pollinators and promoting sustainable environmental practices (End of May)▼
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.
India Becomes Second-Largest Global Honey Exporter (End of May)▼
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.
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.
UN proclaims 1 March as World Seagrass Day to spotlight conservation (Start of March)▼
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/76/265 in May 2022 proclaiming 1 March as World Seagrass Day.
Seagrasses cover only 0.1% of the ocean floor yet store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon.
Seagrass meadows exist in 159 countries across six continents and cover over 300,000 km².
Almost 30% of global seagrass area has been lost since the late nineteenth century.
At least 22 of the world’s 72 seagrass species are in decline.
Conserving and restoring seagrass meadows can help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators linked to ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Only about a quarter of all seagrass meadows fall within marine protected areas.
World Fair Play Day observed on 19 May
Key Updates:
World Fair Play Day is celebrated on 19 May every year to highlight fair play in the world of sport.
The day was officially designated through a resolution passed by the United Nations (UN) in July 2024.
The International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), headquartered in Paris, was founded in 1963 by French tennis player Jean Borotra.
Italian bobsledder Eugenio Monti became the first winner of a Fair Play Award in 1964.
The CIFP announced the launch of the Fair Play Academic Circle, a research and educational resource led by Dr Sigmund Loland.
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International Day of Sport for Development and Peace observed on April 6 with 2026 theme 'Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers' (Start of April)▼
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed annually on April 6.
The 2026 theme is 'Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers'.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the day through Resolution 67/296 on August 23, 2013.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) played a key role in the creation of the day.
The day aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People observed on March 20 (End of March)▼
World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People is celebrated annually on March 20.
The day was established by the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ) in 2001.
ASSITEJ was founded in Paris in 1965 to connect theatre companies and professionals involved in theatre for children and young people.
The campaign promotes the message 'Take a child to the theatre, today, so they can see, hear, feel, think and imagine.'
Theatre for young audience (TYA) became a distinct branch in the early 20th century with the emergence of dedicated children's theatres.
Events on the day include performances, workshops, seminars, webinars, and media events organised by ASSITEJ centres, theatres, schools, and artists worldwide.
World Theatre Day observed on March 27 (End of March)▼
World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on March 27 to honour the art of theatre and its impact on society.
The International Theatre Institute (ITI) established World Theatre Day in 1961.
The first celebration of World Theatre Day took place in 1962.
A key tradition of the day is the World Theatre Day Message, delivered by a renowned theatre personality to reflect on the role of theatre in society.
The day aims to promote cultural exchange, diversity, and creative expression while raising awareness about performing arts in education.
World Theatre Day 2026 observed on March 27 with theme 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace' (End of March)▼
World Theatre Day 2026 is observed on March 27.
The theme for 2026 is 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace'.
World Theatre Day was established in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI).
Willem Dafoe delivers the international message for 2026.
Kyle Busch Passes Away as NASCAR Icon
Key Updates:
Kyle Busch, a National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) icon, died at the age of 41 following a severe illness.
He was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, winning the title in 2015 and 2019.
He recorded 234 victories across three national series, which is more than any other driver in the sport's history.
He is the winningest driver in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series with 102 and 69 victories respectively.
A Las Vegas native, he began competing at the top level of NASCAR in 2005 and joined Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2023.
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Alex Zanardi Dies Former Formula One (F1) Driver and Paralympic Champion (Start of May)▼
Alex Zanardi, a former Formula One (F1) driver and Paralympic champion, died at the age of 59 on 1 May.
He made his F1 debut in 1991 and won back-to-back championships in the CART series in the United States in 1997 and 1998.
He won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
Zanardi claimed 12 World Championship gold medals in para-cycling.
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) called for a minute's silence at all sports events in Italy in his honour.
MJK Smith Dies Former England Test Captain (Mid of May)▼
MJK Smith, the former England Test captain, died at the age of 92.
He played 50 Tests for England and captained the side on 25 occasions.
He made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1958 and played his final Test against Australia in 1972.
He scored nearly 40,000 first-class runs with 72 centuries, including three in Test cricket.
He served as the chairman of Warwickshire County Cricket Club from 1991 to 2003 and was also a rugby union international who earned one cap against Wales in 1956.
Phil Campbell, Motörhead guitarist, dies aged 64. (Mid of March)▼
Phil Campbell passed away peacefully at the age of 64 after a long stay in intensive care following a complex major operation.
He served as the guitarist for the heavy-metal band Motörhead from 1984 until the group disbanded in 2015 after frontman Lemmy Kilmister’s death.
Born in Pontypridd, Wales, Campbell recently performed a sell-out show with his own band at the Muni arts centre in his hometown.
Motörhead described him as a wonderful guitarist and performer who carried a great sense of humour and led with his heart.
George Russell wins 2026 Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes (Start of March)▼
George Russell (No. 63 Mercedes) won the season-opening 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Russell secured pole position and led a Mercedes 1-2 finish with teammate Kimi Antonelli (No. 12) in second place.
Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Ferrari) finished third after Ferrari’s strategy error.
Oscar Piastri (No. 81 McLaren) crashed 40 minutes before the start after hitting a curb and did not start the race.
The Mercedes power-unit, under scrutiny from rival teams, remains legal and powered Russell to victory.
Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and Lin King Win International Booker Prize 2026
Key Updates:
Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translator Lin King won the International Booker Prize 2026 for the novel Taiwan Travelogue, which was originally published in Mandarin Chinese in 2020.
The £50,000 prize money is divided equally between the author and the translator, and the award was presented at a ceremony held at the Turbine Hall in London’s Tate Modern, United Kingdom (UK).
Taiwan Travelogue is the first book translated from Mandarin Chinese to win the prize, making Yáng Shuāng-zǐ the first Taiwanese author and Lin King the first Taiwanese and American translator to receive the honour.
The 2026 judging panel was chaired by author Natasha Brown and included Marcus du Sautoy, Sophie Hughes, Troy Onyango, and award-winning novelist and columnist Nilanjana S. Roy.
The winning title was published by the Sheffield-based independent press And Other Stories, which also published the 2025 winner Heart Lamp, the first collection of short stories to win the prize and the first translated from Kannada.
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International Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist announced on 31 March (Start of April)▼
The International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist was announced on 31 March, featuring six books translated from five different languages.
The winner of the prize will be announced on 19 May at the Tate Modern in London.
The prize money of £50,000 will be split equally between the winning author and the translator.
Yáng Shuāng-zǐ became the first Taiwanese writer to be shortlisted for the prize for the novel Taiwan Travelogue.
The judging panel was chaired by novelist Natasha Brown and included Indian-born novelist Nilanjana S. Roy.
The shortlist was selected from a total of 128 submissions by a five-member panel.
The shortlisted books include The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar and She Who Remains by Rene Karabash.
Other finalists are The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, and The Witch by Marie NDiaye.
The Witch, originally published in 1996, is the oldest book on the list and was translated from French by Jordan Stump.
Taiwan Travelogue, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King, previously won the 2024 National Book Award for translated literature.
China and Korea claim Thomas and Uber Cup 2026 titles (Start of May)▼
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Thomas & Uber Cup 2026 was held in Horsens, Denmark.
The Republic of Korea won the Uber Cup by defeating the People's Republic of China 3-1 on 3 May 2026.
The Republic of Korea has now secured Uber Cup titles in 2010, 2022, and 2026.
The People's Republic of China won the Thomas Cup by defeating France 3-1.
The People's Republic of China has won two consecutive Thomas Cup titles, having previously defeated Indonesia in 2024.
UN Chinese Language Day observed on 20 April with theme 'Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World' (End of April)▼
The United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day virtual forum is scheduled for 20 April.
The theme for the event is “Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World”.
The forum is organised by the Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) in the Capacity Development and Operational Training Services (CDOTS) within the Office of Support Operations (OSO) of the Department of Operational Support (DOS).
The programme includes a keynote address by the UN Youth Office.
Tamil poet Vairamuthu named 2025 Jnanpith Award winner (Mid of March)▼
Vairamuthu has been conferred the 60th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour, announced by Bharatiya Jnanpith on Saturday.
He becomes the third Tamil writer to receive the Jnanpith Award after Akilan and Jayakanthan.
The Jnanpith Selection Committee chaired by Pratibha Ray selected Vairamuthu for his originality, creative depth and distinct poetic voice.
Vairamuthu has authored over 37 books including poetry collections, novels and travel writings such as Kallikattu Ithikasam, Karuvachi Kaviyam, Thanni Desam and Moondraam Ulaga Por.
He has won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics seven times.
Vairamuthu received the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
He won the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Kallikattu Ithikasam.
The Jnanpith Award carries a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, a bronze statuette of Goddess Saraswati and a citation.
Tripti Mukherjee to Receive Padma Shri for Contribution to Kantha Stitch Embroidery
Key Updates:
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Padma Shri on Kantha stitch artist Tripti Mukherjee at a ceremony scheduled for 25 May.
Mukherjee has over 37 years of experience in Kantha stitch embroidery and is recognised for preserving the traditional craft and creating livelihood opportunities for marginalised women.
She established a training centre in Suri, West Bengal, to teach women the art of Kantha stitch embroidery for products including sarees, wall hangings, bed sheets, stoles, and dupattas.
She represented India at a project in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 2017 and at the 14th India Trend Fair in Tokyo in 2025, which was organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
Her previous honours include the National Award Certificate in 2010, the Shilp Guru Award in 2016 from the Ministry of Textiles, and the Bangashree Award from the West Bengal government in 2017.
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Rituparna Sengupta receives Women Empowerment Award for Art and Culture at UK House of Commons. (End of March)▼
Rituparna Sengupta was honoured with the Women Empowerment Award for Art and Culture at the House of Commons, Westminster Parliament, UK.
The award was presented by Seema Malhotra and Virendra Sharma at an event organised by GloWomen CiC to mark International Women's Day.
Her husband, Sanjay Chakrabarty, attended the ceremony.
Krishnan Raghavan posthumously conferred Padma Shri. (Mid of March)▼
Krishnan Raghavan, pen-name 'Kitna', was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for 2023.
He belonged to the Alu Kurumba tribal community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
The award recognised his role in reviving and popularising the 3,000-year-old Kurumba painting tradition.
Fewer than 10 indigenous Kurumba painters remain, with only three knowing the natural colour extraction techniques.
Gp Capt. K.K. Venugopal named Fellow of Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP)
Key Updates:
Gp Capt. K.K. Venugopal has become the first Indian test pilot to be elected as a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).
Gp Capt. Venugopal is the Executive Director and Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The SETP is a global community of test pilots and aerospace professionals based in Lancaster, California, USA.
The honour was conferred in recognition of his contributions as an Experimental Test Pilot (ETP) throughout a career spanning over 25 years.
Gp Capt. Venugopal has been involved in indigenous programmes including Saras LTA, LCA Mk I, HTT 40, HJT 36, and LCA Mk IA.
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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Include Civilians in Astronaut Cadre (End of April)▼
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) committee on astronaut selection and management has recommended including four civilian specialists from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds in the second batch of astronauts.
The second batch of astronauts will consist of 10 members, comprising four civilian specialists and six mission pilots from military aviation backgrounds.
The first batch of four astronauts, all Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots, includes Air Commodore Prashanth B Nair, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, and Gp Capt Angad Prathap.
Civilian astronauts are scheduled to join mission crews starting from the fourth crewed Gaganyaan mission.
The proposed third batch will consist of 12 astronauts, including two mission pilots and 10 specialists.
ISRO has proposed a total astronaut cadre strength of up to 40.
From the seventh crewed mission, the crew size is proposed to increase from two to three astronauts to support the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
The readiness target for the second batch is 72 months and for the third batch is 96 months.
A full astronaut turnaround cycle, including selection, training, and mission preparation, is estimated at 4.5 years.
The agency is developing environment control and life support systems (ECLSS) for its missions.
Manindra Agrawal Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (End of May)▼
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.
India Hosts 35th ISO Technical Committee Meeting on Space Systems in New Delhi (Start of May)▼
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is hosting the 35th Plenary and Working Groups meetings of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 20/Subcommittee 14 in New Delhi.
The subcommittee is responsible for developing global standards for Space Systems and Operations, including design, manufacturing, launch, and orbital management.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare highlighted that policy reforms and the creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) have advanced private sector participation.
The meeting focuses on critical industry challenges such as space debris mitigation, orbital congestion, and the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) Chairman Pawan Goenka stated that robust international standards are essential for driving innovation and integrating India into the global space economy.
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.