Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues Digital Payments: E-mandate Framework, 2026
[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Key Updates:
- 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- The RBI repealed multiple earlier circulars issued between 2019 and 2024 relating to recurring payment processing through cards, UPI, and other digital channels.
Similar Coverage
- Sanjay Malhotra is the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Utkarsh 2029 is the RBI’s medium-term strategy for April 2026 to March 2029.
- The strategy rests on six pillars: robust regulation, customer-centric and inclusive finance, competitive markets, effective technology, a future-ready organisation, and a global India focus.
- Project Sa-Mudra aims to modernise currency management under Utkarsh 2029.
- The central bank will expand the central bank digital currency (CBDC) for more efficient cross-border payments.
- The unified lending interface (ULI) will be scaled up to widen access to credit.
- The RBI will develop regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence and quantum computing in the financial sector.
- The framework builds on Utkarsh 2.0 foundations, including internationalisation of the rupee and global expansion of UPI.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will compensate customers up to ₹25,000 or 85% of the loss, whichever is lower, for small-value digital frauds.
- The compensation is a one-time relief and applies to frauds below ₹50,000 which account for nearly 65% of fraud cases in number terms.
- Under the proposed structure, 15% of the loss will be borne by the customer, 15% by the bank, and the remaining by RBI.
- RBI is reviewing its 2017 framework on customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions and will issue draft revised instructions shortly.
- RBI will issue guidelines for enhanced authentication for senior citizens and calibrated safeguards in digital payments including lagged credits.
- RBI will issue comprehensive instructions to banks and non-bank lenders on advertising, marketing and sale of financial products to prevent mis-selling.
- RBI will release harmonised guidelines on loan recovery practices and norms governing engagement of recovery agents for borrower protection.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released Payments Vision 2028 on 27 March 2026.
- Vision 2028 targets full interoperability across Trade Receivables Discounting Systems (TReDS) and expands receivables financing to export MSMEs.
- Payments Switching Service (PaSS) is proposed to let customers migrate payment instructions when switching bank accounts.
- RBI plans an enable/disable facility for all digital payment modes and a shared liability framework covering issuer and beneficiary banks for unauthorised transactions.
- Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) framework will be introduced for non-bank Payment System Operators.
- Cheque design and security standards will be reviewed and electronic cheques will be explored.
- Single-window authorisation under Payment and Settlement Systems Act and FEMA is being examined for cross-border payments.
- Small Payment System Providers (SPSPs) will be recognised under a perpetual regulatory sandbox.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) for September 2025 stands at 516.76.
- The RBI-DPI was 465.33 in September 2024 and 493.22 in March 2025.
- The index captures digitisation of payments across the country with March 2018 as the base year.
Karnataka Bank partners with Pine Labs for Point-of-Sale (PoS) services
[Karnataka Bank, Pine Labs]
Key Updates:
- Karnataka Bank has entered into a partnership with Pine Labs to provide point-of-sale (PoS) solutions.
- The collaboration aims to provide advanced PoS terminals to retail and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) customers.
- The digital payment services will be available at all branches of Karnataka Bank across the country.
- Karnataka Bank reported a 2.5% increase in standalone net profit to ₹290.79 crore in Q3 FY26 compared with Q3 FY25.
- The bank's total income for Q3 FY26 declined by 0.51% to ₹2,522.35 crore compared with Q3 FY25.
Similar Coverage
- Scapia has launched Scapia Pay, an in-app UPI service for rewards with co-branded RuPay credit cards.
- The service allows users to link Scapia Federal RuPay and Scapia BOBCARD RuPay credit cards for instant UPI payments and rewards.
- The platform provides features including a custom UPI ID, first-time payment alerts, high-value transaction notifications, and consolidated spend tracking.
- The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India processed approximately 20 billion transactions in February 2026.
- The 2026 Spring Release includes two-click credit card bill payments via the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).
- Scapia partners with Federal Bank and BOBCARD to provide co-branded credit cards for domestic and international use.
- The platform has expanded to include flights, buses, trains, stays, visas, experiences, international airport privileges, and financial services.
- Transcorp International Limited received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to participate in Centralized Payment Systems (CPS).
- The approval enables the company to build and operate its payment ecosystem with RTGS and NEFT capabilities.
- Transcorp will hold and operate a bank account at RBI and be allotted its own IFSC Code.
- The Board of Directors reviewed the development at its meeting held on 04 February 2026.
- The company recorded 49% growth in profitability during the quarter ended 31 December 2025 compared to the previous quarter.
- Profitability for the nine-month period ended 31 December 2025 grew 67% over the corresponding period of the previous year.
- Transcorp fully repaid all public Fixed Deposits under its Public Fixed Deposit scheme and has NIL outstanding public Fixed Deposits.
- The company operates with the lowest average debt utilisation, resulting in reduced finance costs.
- Digital payments and Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) business achieved record high payment volumes monthly.
- slice has introduced India’s first savings account linked to 100% of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repo rate.
- The savings account features daily interest calculation and credit, no minimum balance requirements, and instant liquidity.
- The slice UPI credit card allows customers to scan and pay at any UPI-enabled merchant using an approved credit limit.
- The UPI credit card offers up to 3% cashback, weekly rewards through slice sparks, and a slice in 3 feature for no-cost Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) conversion on purchases above ₹2,000.
- The credit card is issued with no joining, renewal, or annual fees.
- slice provides digital fixed deposits with interest rates of up to 7.25% per annum.
- The fixed deposits are insured up to ₹5 lakh by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
- Rajan Bajaj is the Founder and Executive Director of slice, and Dilip Asbe is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- slice is a digital-first banking ecosystem based in Bangalore, Karnataka.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released Payments Vision 2028 on 27 March 2026.
- Vision 2028 targets full interoperability across Trade Receivables Discounting Systems (TReDS) and expands receivables financing to export MSMEs.
- Payments Switching Service (PaSS) is proposed to let customers migrate payment instructions when switching bank accounts.
- RBI plans an enable/disable facility for all digital payment modes and a shared liability framework covering issuer and beneficiary banks for unauthorised transactions.
- Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) framework will be introduced for non-bank Payment System Operators.
- Cheque design and security standards will be reviewed and electronic cheques will be explored.
- Single-window authorisation under Payment and Settlement Systems Act and FEMA is being examined for cross-border payments.
- Small Payment System Providers (SPSPs) will be recognised under a perpetual regulatory sandbox.
NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) onboards Postal Life Insurance (PLI) on Bharat Connect
[National Bill Payment Corporation of India (NBBL), PLI]
Key Updates:
- NBBL has integrated PLI as a biller under the insurance category to enable premium payments via digital and offline channels.
- State Bank of India (SBI) is acting as the Biller Operating Unit for this integration.
- PLI is operated by the Department of Posts and services over 1.25 crore active policies.
- PLI processes approximately 2.5 lakh transactions daily.
- The insurance category on Bharat Connect now includes 65 billers following this addition.
- Bharat Connect hosts more than 22,640 billers across over 29 categories and is accessible through over 700 apps and 5 lakh offline agents.
- Noopur Chaturvedi serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NBBL.
Similar Coverage
- The Union Cabinet has approved the formation of the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI pool) to provide insurance coverage for Indian-flagged or controlled vessels.
- The Centre has provided a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore to facilitate insurance for maritime risks including hull, machinery, cargo, protection and indemnity (P&I), and war.
- The BMI pool will have a combined underwriting capacity of approximately ₹950 crore, with policies issued by member insurers.
- The pool includes participation from reinsurers such as General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), Allianz-Jio Re, and Valueattics Re.
- A dedicated Governing Body will be constituted to oversee the formation and functioning of the BMI pool.
- The initiative aims to reduce the high dependence of Indian vessels on the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (IGP&I) Club for third-party liability insurance.
- The pool ensures affordable insurance for vessels carrying cargo from any international origin to Indian ports and vice-versa, even in volatile maritime corridors.
- The Ministry of Finance launched two digital platforms of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on April 15, 2026.
- The MyLIC app is a customer-focused platform that allows policyholders to manage insurance portfolios, pay premiums instantly, track policy benefits in real time, and avail paperless policy loans.
- MyLIC enables customers to update policies, revive lapsed policies, and purchase policies online through a paperless e-KYC process.
- The Super Sales Saathi app is designed for LIC sales intermediaries and field staff to provide digital tools for marketing insights, performance tracking, customer management, and policy servicing.
- Super Sales Saathi includes features such as real-time policy status tracking, automated follow-up reminders, integrated customer communication, AI-driven nudges, digital sales kits, and performance dashboards.
- Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched an Online Death Claim Settlement Portal to provide a simplified digital solution for families and legal heirs.
- The bank has implemented a simplified procedure for death claims up to ₹15 lakh, which requires no third-party surety.
- IOB has committed to ensuring that these death claims are processed within a strict timeline of 15 days.
- The portal features a real-time tracking system allowing claimants to monitor the progress of their application at every stage.
- IOB also unveiled its new corporate website powered by the enterprise-grade Liferay Digital Experience Platform (DXP).
- NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) announced that Axis Bank is now live on the Banking Connect platform.
- Banking Connect platform was launched in 2025 and provides interoperability between payment aggregators and banks for netbanking transactions.
- Axis Bank joins State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank on the platform.
- The integration enables Axis Bank’s 37 million customers to experience faster checkout across more than 4,800 merchants in India.
- Eight banks and 11 payment aggregators are currently live on the Banking Connect platform.
- NBBL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC) secures licence for reinsurance business in GIFT City
[Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), Gujarat]
Key Updates:
- The Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC) has obtained a licence to undertake reinsurance business from the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) at GIFT City.
- GIFT City is India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and is located in Gujarat.
- The licence to operate in GIFT City is effective from 1 April 2026.
- The entry into India follows the company's recent entry into the Saudi Arabia market.
- The India branch is intended to diversify revenue streams, improve service capabilities, enhance India-UAE economic ties, and expand bilateral trade and investment.
- Charalampos Mylonas is the Chief Executive Officer of ADNIC.
Similar Coverage
- Punjab & Sind Bank has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to open a branch at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
- The branch will enable the bank to strengthen its capabilities in foreign currency lending, trade finance, treasury operations, and international banking.
- Swarup Kumar Saha, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Punjab & Sind Bank, stated that this move aligns with the bank’s long-term vision of entering the international market and supporting India’s ambition of becoming a global financial powerhouse.
- GIFT City and AJNIFM signed an MoU on 18 February 2026 to collaborate on capacity building, academic engagement, and knowledge exchange in international finance, governance, and financial technology under the GIFT International FinTech Institute.
- AJNIFM is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
- A five-day Industry Immersion Programme for second-year MBA students of AJNIFM commenced at GIFT City as part of the MoU.
- The programme offers exposure to regulatory frameworks, cross-border financial services, digital finance innovations, capital market operations, and institutional strategies at GIFT City.
- The MoU framework includes joint research, executive education, faculty exchanges, and knowledge platforms.
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved certificates of registration for two insurance entities during its 134th Authority meeting held on March 9, 2026.
- Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited was granted approval to operate as a reinsurer in India.
- Kiwi General Insurance Limited received a licence to commence operations as a general insurer.
- IRDAI initiated steps to align its regulatory framework with the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025.
- The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act, 2025, was notified on December 21, 2025, and came into effect on February 5, 2026.
- The new legislation introduces amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938, and the IRDA Act, 1999.
- IRDAI granted in-principle approval for drafting and publishing regulations for stakeholder consultation to fast-track reforms under the new law.
- A.V. Girija Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., was appointed Chairman of the reconstituted Reinsurance Advisory Committee (RAC) by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- The reconstituted RAC includes Praveen Vashishta, former CEO and Managing Director of Howden Insurance Brokers India Pvt. Ltd.; Roopam Asthana, former CEO of Liberty General Insurance; and T.L. Alamelu, former Whole-Time Member of IRDAI.
- The committee has been constituted for a tenure of three years under Section 101B of the Insurance Act, 1938.
- The Deputy General Manager (Reinsurance) at IRDAI will function as Secretary to the RAC.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notifies Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) for Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary
[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (India), Uttar Pradesh]
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued a draft notification declaring 408.7 sq km around the Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- The sanctuary is located across five districts in Uttar Pradesh: Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Hapur, Bijnor, and Amroha.
- The ESZ area comprises 138.71 sq km in Muzaffarnagar, 155.02 sq km in Bijnor, 46.35 sq km in Amroha, 18.35 sq km in Hapur, and 50.04 sq km in Meerut.
- A total of 307 villages fall within the proposed ESZ of the State Animal Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The sanctuary area was rationalised from an initial 2,073 sq km to 1,159.16 sq km.
- The sanctuary hosts 41 species of mammals, 373 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 10 species of amphibians, 79 species of fishes, and 81 medicinal plant species.
Similar Coverage
- The Union Government has granted approval to the Puducherry government to establish a dedicated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Information Technology (IT) at a cost of ₹1,250 crore.
- The project will be developed on 21.3 acres of land at Thattanchavady, which is currently owned by the Oulgaret municipality.
- The IT park is designed as a mini-city with 70% of the area dedicated to plug-and-play offices and the remaining 30% allocated for residential housing, a shopping complex, a medical centre, a bank, and a fire station.
- The SEZ is projected to create nearly 30,000 jobs and generate service exports worth ₹10,000 crore over the next 10 years.
- The facility will incorporate environmentally friendly features, including green buildings and smart waste management systems.
- Residents of the Seventh Mile area allege that a group of middlemen and miscreants have been illegally excavating soil for over a month from the Kalshila wetland connected to Deepor Beel.
- The illegal excavation occurs mostly at night from around 8 pm, with dumpers transporting soil excavated using JCB machines to various locations for commercial gain.
- The Gauhati High Court and the Assam Forest Department have imposed prohibitory orders, yet the activity continues unabated on government land and wetlands.
- The wetland lies near the training school of the Assam Police Radio Organisation and the Assam Engineering College under the jurisdiction of Jalukbari Police Outpost.
- Locals warned that repeated excavation since 2021 during the dry season threatens the biodiversity of the Kalshila wetland and the sensitive ecological zone of Deepor Beel.
- The citizens have urged the Kamrup (Metro) district administration, city police, and forest authorities to conduct an immediate spot inquiry and take strict legal action against those involved.
- The Department of Commerce notified a special economic zone for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Pvt Ltd at Dholera, Gujarat.
- Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing has proposed an investment of ₹91,000 crore to set up India's first chip fabrication unit.
- The SEZ will be established on 66.16 hectares of land.
- The project is expected to generate 21,000 jobs.
- The government reduced the minimum contiguous land requirement for semiconductor and electronics component sectors from 50 hectares to 10 hectares.
- Five new SEZs for the sectors have been notified, including CG Semi with a proposed investment of ₹2,150 crore.
- The notified SEZs also include Kaynes Semicon with a proposed investment of ₹681 crore.
- Micron Semiconductor Technology India is among the notified SEZs with a proposed investment of ₹13,000 crore.
- Hubballi Durable Goods Cluster is among the notified SEZs with a proposed investment of ₹100 crore.
- Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) operationalised India’s first designated Port of Refuge on 27 March 2026.
- The International Maritime Organisation defines a Port of Refuge as a location where ships can seek shelter to stabilise conditions, protect lives and limit environmental damage.
- APSEZ designated Dighi Port on the west coast and Gopalpur Port on the east coast as Ports of Refuge.
- The facilities will provide salvage and wreck removal, firefighting, pollution containment, and emergency coordination.
- The initiative is backed by a tripartite memorandum of understanding with SMIT Salvage and the Maritime Emergency Response Centre (MERC).
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar launches India's first fully integrated agricultural intelligence system
[Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar)]
Key Updates:
- 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.
Similar Coverage
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) in Jaipur.
- The AI-powered multilingual tool was announced by the Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2026-27 with an allocation of ₹150 crore.
- It is a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative designed to provide farmers with a single digital doorway for information on crop planning, agricultural practices, and weather forecasts.
- Farmers can access the AI Assistant, named Bharati, by dialling the dedicated telephone number 155261 or through a mobile application.
- At launch, the tool provides information on 10 major central schemes: PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Card (SHC), Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation, Per Drop More Crop, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), and Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
- The platform integrates scientific knowledge from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to offer advice on crops, livestock, and pest alerts.
- The service is initially available in English and Hindi, with plans to expand to 11 languages, including Tamil, Bengali, Assamese, and Kannada, within six months.
- Regional access is provided through specific interfaces: Vasudha for Marathi, Sarlaben for Gujarati, and the Bihar Krishi App for Hindi speakers in Bihar.
- Deakin University and the Government of Telangana, through Aikam™, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), skilling, research, and innovation.
- The agreement was signed at the Telangana State Secretariat by Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, and Shri Phani Nagarjuna, CEO of Aikam™.
- The partnership focuses on three key pillars: AI skilling and education, research and applied innovation, and ecosystem and industry engagement.
- A Joint Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Applied AI, named the Aikam-Deakin Hub for Research in Intelligent Technology & Innovation (Aikam-DHRITI), will be established under the agreement.
- Aikam™ is India's first ecosystem-approach based open innovation entity designed to position Telangana as a global hub for frontier technologies.
- The collaboration aims to develop public sector use-case applications by leveraging emerging technologies such as Data, Cybersecurity, AI, and Machine Learning.
- Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of Bharat Vistar in the Union Budget 2026-27.
- Bharat Vistar is a multilingual Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool designed to integrate AgriStack portals and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) practices with advanced AI systems.
- The platform aims to boost farm productivity and deliver customised advisory support to reduce risks for farmers.
- The FM proposed backing high-value crops to raise farm incomes.
- The government proposed a credit-linked subsidy programme for animal husbandry to spur rural jobs.
- The budget includes plans for the modernisation of livestock enterprises and the creation of integrated value chains for dairy and poultry sectors.
- The initiative encourages the formation of livestock Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
- 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.
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) Completes India's First Intra-City Drone Delivery Trials in Bengaluru
[FedEx, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)]
Key Updates:
- Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) completed India's first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
- The trials were conducted under the research framework of the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras.
- The aerial route of 39-42 km reduced the one-way transit time to nearly 21 minutes, compared to a 53-km road journey that typically takes over 60 minutes.
- The flight path involved coordinated navigation through Airport Yellow and Red Zones with permissions granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
- The research agenda of the FedEx SMART Centre includes air cargo optimisation, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting.
Similar Coverage
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) has started work on Vayu Baan, the first indigenous air-launched effects (ALE) programme in India.
- The project is being led by the Directorate of Aerospace Design (DAD), Gandhinagar, which has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to domestic vendors for design and development.
- Vayu Baan is a small, autonomous drone designed to be dropped from a moving helicopter mid-flight to operate as a surveillance asset or a precision-guided munition.
- The drone is expected to have an operational range of over 50 km and an endurance of approximately 30 minutes.
- The system will feature electro-optical and infrared sensors for target identification and the capability to operate in GPS-jammed environments.
- The IAF requires 10 drone units, two airborne control stations, and two ground control stations, with a target for delivery within one year.
- Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), released the Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions (LM).
- The roadmap aims to increase long-term visibility of army requirements in UAS and channelise domestic industry, R&D bodies and academia.
- Combat roles sought include counter-UAS, loitering munitions, helicopter-launched littoral systems, bomb-delivery drones and mine-laying drones.
- Support roles sought include reconnaissance, land survey, electromagnetic jamming, radio relay and long-range logistics.
- The mission covers operational needs across Himalayas, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and all intermediate terrains.
- Emphasis is placed on boosting MSME and start-up participation in the indigenous drone ecosystem.
- The Defence Ministry approved the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) programme, formerly called Ghatak, valued at Rs 39,000 crore.
- DRDO will adopt a development-cum-production partner model and invite industry bids to build six prototypes at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
- Following prototype development, over 60 unmanned stealth fighters will be ordered, sufficient to form four squadrons.
- The aircraft are targeted for induction in eight years and will have more than 80% indigenous content.
- The stealth drones will be capable of deploying locally developed weapons including future versions of Astra long-range air-to-air missiles and next-generation air-to-ground systems.
- The programme is being developed alongside the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft under Vision 2047 to enable manned-unmanned teaming.
- Formal tenders to select industry partners for the RPSA project are expected shortly.
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) has become the first port in India to implement an advanced Anti-Drone System to strengthen maritime and coastal security.
- The VOC Port Authority signed an agreement for the project with Central Electronics Limited (CEL), a Government of India enterprise under the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology.
- The project involves the deployment of an integrated Radio Frequency (RF) and radar-based drone detection and jamming system with 360-degree coverage and an operational range of up to 5 km.
- The security setup includes a drone detector, drone detection radar, and a man-pack jammer to facilitate real-time tracking, classification, and neutralisation of unauthorised drones.
- The initiative is aligned with the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, with the project scheduled for completion within three months.
Tata Steel and SMS Group to Implement EASyMelt Technology for Low-Carbon Steel in Jamshedpur
[Tata Steel (India), SMS Group (Germany)]
Key Updates:
- Tata Steel has entered into agreements with Paul Wurth, S.A (Luxembourg), part of the SMS Group GmbH (SMS Group), to implement the world's first electrically-assisted syngas smelter (EASyMelt) technology.
- The first industrial demonstration of the EASyMelt technology will be conducted in the 'E' Blast Furnace at the Tata Steel Jamshedpur plant.
- The project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50 per cent compared to the blast furnace's baseline operation.
- Tata Steel and SMS Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2023 to collaborate on decarbonising the iron-making process.
- Tata Steel aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
Similar Coverage
- JSW Steel Ltd and POSCO Group have formed a 50:50 joint venture (JV) to establish a greenfield 6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) integrated steel plant in Odisha.
- The JV will be operated through Saffron Resources Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Steel.
- The project is located in the Keonjhar district of Odisha, involving 2,445 acres of land across 12 villages under Patna tehsil.
- The total investment for the plant is ₹35,000 crore, with an estimated employment potential of around 8,000 direct and indirect jobs.
- POSCO Group will subscribe to shares of Saffron Resources Pvt Ltd for approximately ₹508.8 crore, with the transaction expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
- JSW Steel currently has a crude steel production capacity of 35.7 mtpa, including 34.2 mtpa in India and 1.5 mtpa in the United States, with a target of 50 mtpa in India by FY31.
- POSCO Group, headquartered in Pohang, South Korea, has a steelmaking capacity of around 45 mtpa.
- Rathi Steel and Power Limited (RSPL) has been awarded the GreenPro ecolabel certification by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
- The certification was granted for the Rathi Powertech brand of TMT rebars manufactured at the RSPL unit in Ghaziabad.
- The GreenPro certification is a Type-1 Ecolabel that specifically covers the Fe 550 Grade of TMT rebars.
- The certified products provide credits for national and international green building certifications, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
- The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth nearly Rs 975 crore for the procurement of TRAWL assembly for T-72 and T-90 tanks.
- The contracts were signed with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) and Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Private Ltd.
- The TRAWL assembly is a critical equipment developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The equipment is designed to create vehicle safe lanes through minefields containing anti-tank mines with proximity magnetic fuses.
- The procurement is classified as a 'Buy (Indian-indigenously designed, developed and manufactured)' case.
- The agreements were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
- Tata Steel signed the MoU with University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) in Beijing on Monday.
- Research teams from Tata Steel, Tata Steel Research and Innovation Limited and USTB will jointly work on scrap-based steelmaking, steel waste valorisation, end-product performance, and carbon capture and utilisation technologies.
- The collaboration will use USTB's academic expertise and its experimental and pilot-scale facilities to test and scale up technologies for industrial application.
- Subodh Pandey, Vice President - Technology, R&D, NMB and Graphene, Tata Steel, stated that the partnership aims to co-create technologies advancing Tata Steel’s sustainability goals.
- Prof Shuqiang Jiao, Vice President of USTB, noted that USTB and Tata Steel share a long-standing partnership and will combine USTB's metallurgy and materials science expertise with Tata Steel's industrial strengths.
World Athletics classifies India as extremely high doping risk nation
[Athletics Integrity Unit]
Key Updates:
- The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Board moved the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) from Category B to Category A under Rule 15 of World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.
- Category A is designated as the highest risk, Category B as medium risk, and Category C as low risk.
- India's Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) were 48 in 2022 (ranked 2nd), 63 in 2023 (ranked 2nd), 71 in 2024 (ranked 1st), and 30 in 2025 so far (ranked 1st).
- India topped the AIU list of ineligible athletes with 148 suspended athletes, surpassing Kenya.
- Under Rule 15.3.3, the AIU reviews each federation's category every three years.
- Category A federations must establish an Anti-Doping Monitoring Committee under Rule 15.5.3.
- Athletes from Category A federations must undergo at least three no-notice out-of-competition tests in the 10 months before the AIU deadline to participate in the Olympic Games or World Athletics Championships.
- Blood testing for Category A federations must follow the Athlete Biological Passport system as per World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines.
Similar Coverage
- India leads with 148 suspended track and field athletes on the latest Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) ineligibility list updated up to 1 April 2026.
- Kenya is second and Russia third with 66 suspended athletes.
- Notable Indians on the list include Dutee Chand, Parvej Khan and Dhanalakshmi Sekar.
- Dutee Chand is serving a four-year suspension from 2022, Parvej Khan is banned until July 2030, and Dhanalakshmi Sekar has an eight-year suspension after a second offence last year.
- Transparency International released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 covering 182 countries and territories.
- India improved its rank to 91st from 96th in the previous year.
- India’s CPI score rose by one point to 39 in 2025.
- The CPI scale ranges from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
- Denmark topped the index with 89 points, followed by Finland and Singapore.
- South Sudan and Somalia shared the lowest score of 9 points.
- The United States (US) was ranked 29th and the United Kingdom (UK) 20th.
- The report listed India among countries dangerous for journalists reporting on corruption.
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced ASMITA League athletics events on 8 March 2026 in 250 districts.
- Over 2 lakh girls will compete in 100m, 200m, 400m races across Under-13, 13–18 and 18+ age groups.
- ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women), launched in 2021 under Khelo India Scheme, organises the league.
- Each venue will have five Technical Officials, 10 Volunteers, one Competition Manager, one Past Champion Athlete and one District Youth Officer.
- A Women Technical Officials Development Workshop will run parallel to train referees and timekeepers per Athletics Federation of India standards.
- The initiative targets talent identification for 2030 Commonwealth Games Ahmedabad and India’s 2036 Olympics bid.
- ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women) League athletics events will be held on 8 March 2026 in 250 districts.
- Over two lakh girls will compete in 100m, 200m, and 400m races in Under-13, 13–18, and 18+ age groups.
- Each venue will have five Technical Officials, ten Volunteers, one Competition Manager, one Past Champion Athlete, and one District Youth Officer.
- A Women Technical Officials Development Workshop will run alongside referee and timekeeper training aligned with Athletics Federation of India standards.
ASI begins drilling at Konark Sun Temple on April 23, 2026
[Archaeological Survey of India (India)]
Key Updates:
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has initiated drilling a 6x5-foot passage into the Jagamohan (assembly hall) of the Konark Sun Temple.
- The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century monument designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
- The British filled the Jagamohan with sand between 1901 and 1903 to provide structural stability and prevent the monument from collapsing.
- The temple was constructed by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, involving approximately 1,200 sculptors over a 12-year period.
- Diamond drilling technology is being employed by the ASI technical team to ensure zero vibrations and protect the structural integrity of the site.
- Sand and stone samples from the temple were analysed by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) prior to the start of the drilling process.
- A previous attempt to investigate the interior of the structure was conducted in the mid-1950s by the then Director General (DG) Debala Mitra.
- The monument was originally designed as a chariot for the Sun God, though the main temple tower that once housed the deity has since collapsed.
Similar Coverage
- India and Indonesia have partnered for the restoration of the Prambanan Temple complex in the Special Region of Yogyakarta in southern Java.
- Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon met a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Monday to discuss preservation of the temple complex within the broader cultural landscape, which includes Sewu and Plaosan temples.
- ASI experts determined that the process of restoration and additional preservation would be completed through the anastylosis technique, a process of reassembling buildings using the original stones discovered on location.
- The Prambanan compound is a 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
- India has previously worked on major restoration sites in Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos.
- Initial restoration work on Angkor Wat was undertaken by ASI from 1986 to 1993.
- In Laos, the ASI restored Vat Phou Temple in two phases at a cost of Rs 17 crore and Rs 24 crore for an ancient Khmer-Hindu Shiva site.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has commenced a large-scale scientific excavation at the Balirajgarh site in the Madhubani district of Bihar.
- The site is believed to have served as a major administrative hub of the ancient Videha Kingdom and the legendary capital of King Bali.
- The ASI Patna Circle aims to reach the virgin soil to determine the exact beginning of human settlement and verify if the site predates the Mauryan era.
- The excavation will investigate the cultural continuity across five distinct phases: Mauryan (NBPW), Sunga, Kushan, Gupta, and Pala periods.
- The site features a massive brick fortification spanning approximately 176 acres and was declared a protected site by the ASI in 1938.
- Modern tools, including satellite imagery and systematic mapping, are being utilised to identify high-interest areas and navigate technical hurdles like high water tables.
- Previous explorations at the site have yielded historical artefacts such as punch-marked coins, terracotta figurines, copper objects, and bone tools.
- Researchers discovered remains of a 12th-century Yadava-era temple-style stone pillar near the Vena river banks in Hinganghat, Wardha district.
- The stone fragments are carved from locally available black basalt and feature an intricate lotus motif.
- The carvings are identified as the Hemadpanti architectural style, which was prevalent in 12th and 13th-century temples.
- The Hemadpanti style is characterised by a stone interlocking technique that does not involve the use of lime.
- Researchers have been advised to approach the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the scientific preservation and detailed survey of the historical remains.
- Karnataka’s Department of Archaeology, Museum and Heritage classified the gold ornaments recovered from a copper pot at Lakkundi in Gadag district as a treasure.
- The ornaments weighed around 500 g and included rings, bracelet and a bangle.
- Director Dr Shejeshwar R stated the ornaments are definitely more than 100 years old and thus qualify as antique treasure.
- The department will recommend financial compensation equal to one-fifth of the treasure’s value to Ganagavva Basavaraja Ritti’s family who unearthed the pot during house modification.
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) senior archaeologist Ramesh Mulimani had earlier said the ornaments were unlikely to be centuries-old buried treasure and suspected recent ancestral burial.
World Book and Copyright Day observed on April 23
[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)]
Key Updates:
- World Book and Copyright Day, also known as International Day of the Book, is celebrated globally on April 23.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the day in 1995.
- The date April 23 marks the death anniversaries of prominent writers William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes in 1616.
- The observance highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property through copyright laws.
- Iceland is cited as having the highest per capita readership in the world.
- Bibliosmia is the term used to describe the distinct smell of old books.
- Estimates suggest that more than 130 million books exist globally.
- The 10 recommended classics include 1984 by George Orwell, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- The list of essential reads also features Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, and The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien.
Similar Coverage
- International Children’s Book Day is observed on April 2 every year, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen.
- The day has been celebrated since 1967.
- The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) sponsors the day.
- IBBY is a non-profit organisation founded in Zurich.
- Cyprus is the host country for International Children’s Book Day 2026.
- The theme for 2026 is 'plant stories and the world will bloom'.
- Sandra Elephteriou designed the 2026 poster.
- Elena Perikleous wrote the 2026 message.
- Giorgos Hatzipieris wrote the 2026 official song 'The Little Gardener'.
- UNESCO officially established World Poetry Day in 1999 during its 30th General Conference in Paris.
- World Poetry Day is observed every year on 21 March.
- The day aims to promote poetry as a meaningful cultural practice and to support linguistic diversity worldwide.
- Some countries previously celebrated poetry on 15 October, the birthday of Roman poet Virgil.
- World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is observed every year on April 18.
- The theme for 2026 is Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters.
- The day was established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 and later approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- India is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Taj Mahal and the Ajanta Caves.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will celebrate the International Day of Education 2026 on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
- The theme for the International Day of Education 2026 is The power of youth in co-creating education.
- UNESCO will host key activities and hybrid events for the observance at its headquarters in Paris, France.
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 73/25 on December 3, 2018, proclaiming January 24 as the International Day of Education.
- The first observance of the International Day of Education took place on January 24, 2019.
- The day aims to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all.
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is the only Indian institute to feature in the global top 100 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings 2026.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) as part of its 2025 achievements.
Jay Shah Named to World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leaders Class of 2026
[World Economic Forum (International)]
Key Updates:
- Jay Shah, the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been selected for the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Class of 2026 by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
- He was recognised for his role in shaping the future of global cricket and his instrumental efforts in including the sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Jay Shah previously served as the youngest secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and managed Indian Premier League (IPL) operations and media rights deals.
- The YGL Class of 2026 comprises 118 leaders under the age of 40 from 55 countries, spanning sectors such as public service, science, business, and civil society.
- Other notable figures in the 2026 cohort include Tomas Okmanas of Nord Security, Jennifer Zhang of WIZ.AI, Thea LaFond, and Professor Sally Nuamah.
Similar Coverage
- Arthur Law, Co-founder and Managing Principal of Storefriendly Asia, was named a Young Global Leader 2026 by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
- He was recognised for redefining urban living by enabling households and businesses to reclaim space in densely populated cities.
- The WEF Young Global Leaders community identifies exceptional leaders under the age of 40.
- The 2026 cohort comprises 118 individuals from 55 countries.
- The network includes more than 1,400 members and alumni across over 120 countries.
- Arthur Law serves as Steward of The KALE Foundation.
- Law is an Oxford-graduated mathematician who previously worked at Goldman Sachs, HSBC, and ACE & Company.
- Sundar Pichai was named to TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026 for democratising Artificial Intelligence, with Google integrating tools such as Gemini CLI, NotebookLM and Antigravity under his leadership.
- Ranbir Kapoor was the sole Indian actor on TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, praised for blending stardom with nuanced storytelling and elevating Indian cinema for a global audience.
- Vikas Khanna was included in TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, recognised for his Michelin‑starred culinary work, humanitarian efforts and the FeedIndia initiative that provided 30 million meals during the pandemic.
- The 2026 list marks Sundar Pichai's third appearance on the TIME100.
- TIME Magazine released its TIME100 Most Influential People list for 2026 on April 16, 2026.
- The list includes three individuals of Indian origin: Sundar Pichai, Ranbir Kapoor and Vikas Khanna.
- Sanae Takaichi is Japan’s first woman Prime Minister featured in the list.
- The list features global leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, is also named in the 2026 TIME100 list.
- India hosted the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9 to 15 March 2026.
- The programme brought together 30 young innovators, technology developers, and entrepreneurs from BIMSTEC member countries.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the initiative aimed to promote knowledge exchange and provide exposure to India’s innovation, start-up, and research ecosystems.
- The exchange programme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to strengthen engagement among the youth of the Bay of Bengal region.
- Participants called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who highlighted the state’s potential as a platform for international partnerships in technology.