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Sunday, Apr 26

Daily Current Affairs: 26 April 2026

Analysis for 26 April 2026

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) records India's Forex Reserves at $703.308 Billion

Key Updates:

  • India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves rose by $2.362 billion to $703.308 billion in the week ended April 17, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • In the previous reporting week, the reserves had climbed to $700.946 billion following a $3.825 billion increase.
  • Gold holdings increased by $790 million to reach $122.133 billion.
  • Foreign currency assets (FCAs) rose by $1.481 billion to $557.463 billion.
  • Special drawing rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased by $78 million to $18.841 billion.
  • India's reserve position with the IMF rose by $14 million to $4.87 billion.
  • India's forex reserves hit an all-time high of $728.494 billion in the week ended February 27, 2026.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) records $9.06 billion rise in India's foreign exchange reserves (Mid of April) ▼
  • India's foreign exchange reserves rose by $9.06 billion to $697.12 billion during the week ended 3 April 2026, ending four consecutive weeks of decline.
  • Gold reserves surged by $7.22 billion during the reported week.
  • Foreign currency assets increased by $1.78 billion to $552.85 billion in the same period.
  • Gold prices climbed 4.06% to $4,676 per ounce during the week.
  • Foreign exchange reserves expanded by $22.72 billion during the previous financial year.
  • Special Drawing Rights grew by $58 million to $18.7 billion.
  • India's reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remained unchanged at $4.82 billion.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) records $30.5 billion fall in forex reserves since late February West Asia conflict (Start of April) ▼
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves dropped $30.5 billion since the West Asia conflict started in late February.
  • Total reserves fell $10.28 billion to $688.05 billion in the week ended 27 March 2026.
  • Foreign currency assets declined $6.62 billion and gold reserves fell $3.66 billion in the same week.
  • Special drawing rights rose $17 million to $18.64 billion and India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dipped $17 million to $4.81 billion.
  • For FY26 total reserves rose $22.72 billion as gold reserves increased while foreign currency assets fell almost $14 billion.
  • RBI’s outstanding net short dollar position in the rupee forward market reached $77.25 billion by end-February 2026, the highest since March 2025.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) records India's forex reserves at $725.73 billion after $8.66 billion weekly rise. (End of February) ▼
  • India's foreign exchange reserves rose by $8.66 billion to a record $725.73 billion in the week ended 13 February 2026.
  • Foreign currency assets increased by $3.55 billion to $573.60 billion during the week.
  • Gold reserves surged by $4.99 billion to $128.47 billion on higher international gold prices.
  • Special Drawing Rights rose by $0.10 billion to $18.92 billion.
  • India's reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased by $0.02 billion to $4.73 billion.
  • The latest reserve level surpassed the previous peak of $723.77 billion recorded in January 2026.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows forex reserves jump $4.885 billion to record $728.494 billion (Start of March) ▼
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves rose $4.885 billion to an all-time high of $728.494 billion in the week ended 27 February 2026.
  • Foreign currency assets, the largest component, increased $561 million to $573.125 billion during the same week.
  • Gold reserves surged $4.141 billion to $131.630 billion, according to RBI data.
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) grew $26 million to $18.87 billion.
  • India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) climbed $158 million to $4.87 billion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) partially eases rupee non-deliverable forward (NDF) curbs on banks

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has partially rolled back measures announced on April 1 that barred banks from offering rupee-linked non-deliverable forwards (NDF).
  • Under the revised rules, banks are permitted to undertake certain related-party transactions, including the cancellation and rollover of existing contracts and deals via the back-to-back route.
  • Banks continue to be barred from undertaking all foreign-exchange derivative transactions with related parties.
  • The $100 million cap on net open positions in the onshore deliverable market, introduced on March 27, remains in place.
  • The initial curbs were implemented following heightened volatility in foreign-exchange markets in March due to the West Asia conflict, which led to a rupee depreciation of more than 4 per cent against the dollar.
  • Sanjay Malhotra is the Governor of the RBI.

Similar Coverage

No similar coverage

Jio Financial Services Limited and Allianz Group form 50:50 Insurance Joint Venture

[Jio Financial Services, Allianz]

Key Updates:

  • Jio Financial Services Limited and Allianz Group (Allianz) have signed a binding agreement to form a 50:50 primary insurance joint venture (JV).
  • The JV will operate in the general and health insurance segments of the Indian market.
  • The partnership aligns with the national goal of Insurance for All by 2047 and the Viksit Bharat vision.
  • The companies are working towards a separate agreement for a life insurance venture in India.
  • Allianz has been present in India since 2000.

Similar Coverage

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signs ₹16,420 crore loan deals for four projects in India (End of March) ▼
  • Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed four Official Development Assistance loan agreements with the Government of India totalling ₹16,420 crore.
  • The agreements cover Maharashtra tertiary healthcare and medical education, Punjab sustainable horticulture, Bengaluru Metro Phase 3, and Mumbai Metro Line 11.
  • Maharashtra project loan is 62,294 million Japanese Yen, Punjab horticulture project is 18,684 million Japanese Yen, Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 is 102,480 million Japanese Yen, and Mumbai Metro Line 11 is 92,400 million Japanese Yen.
  • Alok Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative of JICA India Office, signed the loan agreement in New Delhi.
Dan Bailey appointed President of Jio Platforms to lead international expansion. (Start of March) ▼
  • Dan Bailey has been appointed as President of Jio Platforms to spearhead its global business initiatives.
  • Bailey will be based in London and will join the company’s Executive Committee.
  • He will report to Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm.
  • Bailey has over 35 years of experience and previously served as Chairman of Deutsche Bank’s technology, media and telecom (TMT) practice.
  • Jio Platforms is backed by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and aims to export its 5G and digital ecosystem capabilities to international markets.
Bharti AXA Life Insurance partners with Equitas Small Finance Bank to distribute life insurance products across 1,042 outlets. (Start of February) ▼
  • Bharti AXA Life Insurance has entered into a bancassurance partnership with Equitas Small Finance Bank.
  • The partnership will offer protection, savings, and retirement plans to Equitas Small Finance Bank customers.
  • The collaboration targets deeper life insurance penetration in semi-urban and rural markets.
  • Equitas Small Finance Bank operates 1,042 banking outlets across 18 states and Union Territories.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) Grants Licences to Allianz Jio Reinsurance and Kiwi General Insurance (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.

Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy, 2026: ₹500 Crore Outlay

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

  • The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy, 2026, with an outlay of ₹500 crore for 2026-27.
  • The policy aims to convert urban waste, farm residue, agricultural residue, and cattle waste into clean fuel and organic fertiliser.
  • Biogas plants with a minimum capacity of 200 tonnes per day will be established under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
  • The government will provide land on lease, a single-window system for fast-track approvals, and a digital platform to connect waste suppliers and developers.
  • Urban local bodies will lead the implementation by linking segregated biodegradable waste from cities to biogas plants.

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Mumbai Climate Week 2026 inaugurated; Maharashtra targets over 50% green energy by 2030 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the three-day Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) 2026.
  • MCW 2026 is India’s first platform dedicated to accelerating transformative, citizen-driven climate action in the Global South.
  • Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on ‘Urban Heat Mitigation, Passive Cooling and Nature-based Resilience systems, Climate adaptation frameworks’ with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Resources Institute (WRI), C40, and Urban Land Institute (ULI).
  • Fadnavis stated Maharashtra aims for more than 50% of its energy from green sources by 2030, up from 21% renewable share in its current 48 GW installed capacity.
  • Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Prahlad Joshi announced 1 lakh additional solar pumps for Maharashtra under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM Kusum) scheme.
  • Under PM Kusum in Maharashtra, energy production cost is Rs 3 with Rs 5 savings, and excess power is fed into the grid.
Kerala Government approves Graphene Policy for Industrial Research and Production (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Kerala government approved a graphene policy to establish the state as a hub for the research and production of the carbon-based material.
  • The policy aims to promote the application of graphene technology across industrial sectors by creating a startup ecosystem and fostering global partnerships.
  • The cabinet approved the Kerala Advocates Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to enhance financial security for legal practitioners.
  • The amendment increases the maximum aggregate limit for termination of practice and post-death benefits from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh.
  • Financial assistance for major surgeries and cancer treatment under the welfare fund will be increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
Government of Maharashtra Projects 7.9 Per Cent Economic Growth for 2025-26 (Start of March) ▼
  • Maharashtra's economy is expected to grow at 7.9 per cent in 2025-26, outpacing the projected national growth rate of 7.4 per cent.
  • The nominal Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2025-26 is estimated at ₹51 lakh crore, while the real GSDP is projected at ₹28.82 lakh crore.
  • The services sector, which accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the total Gross State Value Added (GSVA), is expected to grow by 9 per cent in 2025-26.
  • Growth projections for other sectors in 2025-26 include 5.7 per cent for industry and 3.4 per cent for agriculture and allied activities.
  • Maharashtra accounted for the highest share of 14 per cent in India's nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2024-25.
  • The per capita income in the state for 2025-26 is estimated at ₹3,47,903, significantly higher than the national per capita income of ₹2,19,575.
  • Maharashtra ranks third in meat production with an 11.6 per cent share, fifth in milk production with a 6.7 per cent share, and seventh in egg production with a 5.5 per cent share in India.
  • During the kharif season of 2025-26, production of sugarcane is expected to increase by 22 per cent, cereals by 10.6 per cent, and cotton by 7 per cent.
  • The state remained the top destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows between October 2019 and March 2025, securing a 31 per cent share.
  • Maharashtra holds the highest share among all states in bank deposits at 22.7 per cent and gross credit at 27.8 per cent.
  • The state's revenue receipts for 2025-26 are estimated at ₹5,60,964 crore, while revenue expenditure is projected at ₹6,06,855 crore.
  • The unemployment rate in Maharashtra declined to 3.3 per cent in 2023-24, while the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) rose to 59 per cent.
Maharashtra Land Revenue Code and Stamp Amendment Bills 2026 unlock grazing land for public works and speed up stamp duty refunds (Mid of March) ▼
  • Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code Amendment Bill 2026 allowing municipal corporations, municipal councils and municipal areas to use uncultivated grazing land (gairan) within their jurisdiction for public purpose projects while ownership remains with the state government.
  • The available land pool comprises about 7,700 hectares in municipal corporation areas, around 4,000 hectares in municipal areas and nearly 3,000 hectares in municipal council areas.
  • The Assembly also passed the Maharashtra Stamp Amendment Bill 2026 that raises financial limits for stamp duty refund decisions: district collectors can now sanction up to ₹20 lakh, Deputy Inspector General of Registration and Deputy Controller of Stamps up to ₹50 lakh, and Additional Controller of Stamps and Joint Inspector General of Registration and Superintendent of Stamps up to ₹1 crore, while cases above ₹1 crore will continue with the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority.

Rajasthan Health Department orders recall of 7 substandard medicines

[Rajasthan]

Key Updates:

  • The Rajasthan state health department ordered an immediate halt to the sale, distribution, and use of seven medicines.
  • The regulatory action was taken after laboratory testing found the medicines to be substandard.
  • The affected medicines are those commonly used for infections, cough, inflammation, and parasitic diseases.

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Government of India issues advisory on GLP-1 drugs to curb unsupervised sales (Start of April) ▼
  • GLP-1 drugs are prescription-only and can be prescribed only by endocrinologists, cardiologists, and internal medicine specialists.
  • Over-the-counter sales of GLP-1 drugs are prohibited.
  • The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has intensified inspections with State Drug Controllers and warned of license cancellation, fines, and legal action for non-compliance.
  • Common GLP-1 drugs available in India include Semaglutide (injection and oral), Liraglutide, Tirzepatide, Dulaglutide, and Exenatide.
  • An advisory issued on March 10, 2026 bans misleading advertisements and mandates nationwide inspections of pharmacies, clinics, and warehouses.
India Pharma 2026 to position India as global life-sciences innovation hub (Start of April) ▼
  • India Pharma 2026, 9th edition, will be held on 13-14 April at Federation House, New Delhi.
  • Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) are jointly organising the event.
  • Theme of the conference is “Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation”.
  • Event will focus on drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars to shift sector from volume-based to value-led growth.
  • FICCI, established in 1927, represents over 2.5 lakh companies across sectors.
Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) targets India as global pharma innovation hub by 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • India Pharma 2026 will be held on 13-14 April at Federation House, New Delhi.
  • The 9th edition is organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
  • Theme of the event is 'Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation'.
  • Conference will focus on drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars.
  • FICCI, established in 1927, represents over 2.5 lakh companies across sectors.
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signs three MoUs to strengthen drug safety (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the Goa State Pharmacy Council (GSPC), Quality Council of India (QCI), and HLL Infra Tech Services Limited.
  • The agreements aim to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems, enhance professional competencies, and promote uniform standards for medicine quality and patient safety across India.
  • The MoU with the GSPC focuses on the professional development of pharmacists, promotion of the National Formulary of India, and strengthening adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting mechanisms.
  • The collaboration with the GSPC supports the establishment of ADR Monitoring Centres and enhances systematic reporting and documentation practices across healthcare facilities.
  • The IPC and the QCI will collaborate on quality promotion, public health awareness, and capacity building through joint training and awareness programmes in pharmacovigilance.
  • Harsh Mangla, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasised that the MoUs must translate into the achievement of objectives to improve primary and secondary healthcare.

India to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in Bishkek on April 27-28, 2026

[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]

Key Updates:

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at the Defence Ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
  • The high-level meeting is scheduled to be held in Bishkek on April 27–28, 2026.
  • The agenda for the meeting includes discussions on terrorism, extremism, and regional security concerns.

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India to Host Inaugural Central Armed Police Forces Leadership Conference in Delhi in May 2026 (Mid of April) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the first-ever Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) leadership conference in Delhi in May.
  • The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is coordinating the planning and execution of the two-day conference under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • The event will be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, chiefs of intelligence agencies, and senior CAPFs leadership.
  • India maintains five CAPFs: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
  • The combined manpower of the five CAPFs is approximately 10 lakh personnel tasked with border guarding, protecting vital installations, and counter-insurgency operations.
  • The conference aims to provide a unified platform for the top leadership to discuss internal security threats and synchronise efforts with state police forces.
  • The meeting follows the recent passage of the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, which seeks to create a unified legal framework for service conditions.
Finland President Alexander Stubb arrives in New Delhi; to be Chief Guest at Raisina Dialogue 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • President Alexander Stubb of Finland arrived in New Delhi on 4 March 2026 on a State Visit to India and received a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour.
  • Minister of State for External Affairs V. K. Singh received President Stubb at the airport.
  • President Stubb will be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 11th edition of Raisina Dialogue 2026 scheduled from 5-7 March in New Delhi.
  • During the visit, President Stubb will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attend a luncheon hosted by him.
  • President Stubb will also meet President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
  • After Delhi, President Stubb will travel to Mumbai and meet Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
  • This is President Stubb's first visit to India in his current role as President.
Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026 held on January 29 (End of January) ▼
  • The Beating Retreat ceremony was held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on January 29, 2026.
  • The ceremony marks the formal conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations.
  • The event featured performances by the bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that the ceremony commenced at 5:00 pm.
  • Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi stated that the event showcases the discipline, traditions, and valour of the armed forces.
India and China Hold First Bilateral SCO Consultations on 16-17 April (Mid of April) ▼
  • India and China conducted their first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral consultations on 16-17 April following the resolution of the eastern Ladakh military standoff in 2024.
  • Both delegations met with the Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, to review cooperation in security, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
  • The two sides discussed the implementation of decisions made by SCO leaders and the future course of the organisation.
  • China has pledged support for the ongoing BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) presidency held by India.
  • The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is expected to visit India for the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for 14-15 May.
  • The President of China, Xi Jinping, is anticipated to travel to India in September for the BRICS summit.
  • India reiterated that the original objectives of the SCO are to combat terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism.
  • India emphasised that regional connectivity initiatives must uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the SCO charter.

Zoo Atlanta and China Wildlife Conservation Association sign International Cooperative Research Agreement for Giant Pandas

[China]

Key Updates:

  • Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association signed a new International Cooperative Research Agreement for the return of giant pandas.
  • Two pandas, male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang, born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, will be housed at Zoo Atlanta.
  • A previous panda agreement between the entities spanned from 1999 to 2024.
  • The Chinese government has established 67 panda reserves and a national park system to improve habitat connectivity.
  • Giant pandas are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
  • Approximately 72% of wild giant pandas are currently under strict protection.

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China resumes direct flights to North Korea after six-year suspension (End of March) ▼
  • Air China resumed direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Monday, 30 March 2026.
  • The flight was welcomed by Chinese ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun and other diplomats.
  • Passenger train service from China to North Korea had resumed on 12 March 2026.
  • Flights and passenger trains to North Korea were suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
  • North Korean carrier Air Koryo resumed flights between the capitals in 2023.
  • North Korea banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic and began easing restrictions with a Russian tour group entering in 2024.
  • Chinese tour groups accounted for 90% of all visitors to North Korea prior to the ban.
  • China is Pyongyang’s biggest trading partner and major ally.
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a Chinese military parade in Beijing in September, the first such attendance in decades.
Bangladesh and China sign G2G deal to establish advanced drone manufacturing plant in Bogra (End of January) ▼
  • The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) signed a government-to-government (G2G) agreement to establish a drone manufacturing facility.
  • The plant will be located near the New Bogra Airbase in the Bogra region and is expected to be operational by late 2026.
  • The facility will initially focus on producing Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAVs.
  • The partnership involves a full technology transfer from CETC to the BAF to enable Bangladesh to eventually design and assemble its own indigenous UAVs.
  • The BAF is also finalising a USD 2.2 billion deal with China to procure 20 Chengdu J-10C Vigorous Dragon multirole fighter jets to replace its ageing fleet.
  • The manufacturing site's proximity to India’s Siliguri Corridor, known as the Chicken’s Neck, has raised security concerns regarding intelligence risks and signals data collection.
  • The signing ceremony at the BAF headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment was attended by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen.
Third batch of nine Botswana cheetahs arrives at Kuno National Park, raising India’s total to 48 (Start of March) ▼
  • Nine cheetahs airlifted from Botswana reached Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
  • All nine cheetahs were reported in good health and received their first meal on Monday morning inside their quarantine enclosures.
  • With the new arrivals, India’s cheetah population rose to 48, with three relocated to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and the rest housed at Kuno.
  • Since 2023, 39 cheetah cubs have been born at Kuno, of which 27 have survived, including nine cubs born between 7 and 18 February 2026.
  • Adult cheetahs weigh 40–65 kg and consume about 15 kg of meat every three to five days.
Kuno National Park records ninth cheetah litter as Gamini births three cubs, raising India’s cheetah total to 38. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that South African cheetah Gamini delivered three cubs at Kuno National Park.
  • The births coincide with the third anniversary of the arrival of South African cheetahs in India.
  • Gamini is a second-time mother within the project.
  • The litter is the ninth successful cheetah birth in India, lifting the count of surviving Indian-born cubs to 27.
  • With these cubs, India’s total cheetah population has reached 38.
  • Project Cheetah, launched on 17 September 2022, is the world-first intercontinental translocation initiative to re-establish cheetahs in India after their 1952 extinction.

President of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 80th session to visit India on April 28

[United Nations General Assembly]

Key Updates:

  • Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), is scheduled to visit India on April 28.
  • Baerbock will discuss multilateral issues of mutual interest with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
  • The visit includes paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
  • Baerbock will hold an interactive session with the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on the governance and regulation of artificial intelligence.
  • Baerbock, a former German foreign minister, was elected as the president of the UNGA's 80th session in June last year.

Similar Coverage

India elected to four subsidiary bodies of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (Mid of April) ▼
  • India was elected by acclamation to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development for the term 2027-2030.
  • India was elected by acclamation to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations for the term 2027-2030.
  • India was elected by acclamation to the Committee for Programme and Coordination for the term 2027-2029.
  • Ambassador Preeti Saran was re-elected to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the term 2027-2030.
India elected to three UN Economic and Social Council subsidiary bodies for 2027-2030 (Mid of April) ▼
  • India was elected by acclamation to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) subsidiary bodies: Commission on Science and Technology for Development 2027-2030, Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations 2027-2030, and Committee for Programme and Coordination 2027-2029.
  • Indian Ambassador Preeti Saran was re-elected to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the term 2027-2030.
  • The UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) holds an annual intergovernmental forum for discussion on issues affecting science, technology and development.
  • The Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by NGOs.
  • The Committee for Programme and Coordination reviews the programmes of the United Nations and assists ECOSOC in its coordination functions.
  • The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
BRICS CCI WE Summit 2026 held in New Delhi from March 21 to 23 (End of March) ▼
  • The 6th edition of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) Women Empowerment (WE) Annual Women’s Summit & Felicitations 2026 was held in New Delhi from March 21 to 23.
  • The summit theme was 'Women in Innovation, Science Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (WISE) – Inspiring Change, Shaping Tomorrow'.
  • Ruby Sinha, President of BRICS CCI WE, launched the commemorative coffee table book 'WISE Collective: Echoes of Excellence' during the summit.
  • A memorandum of understanding was signed with SEBRAE, Brazil’s Micro and Small Business Support Service, to enhance collaboration for women-led enterprises.
  • The convocation ceremony of the third edition of the BRICS CCI WE Global Women Leadership Programme took place at the summit.
  • Mission ShakthiSAT was unveiled by Meenakshi Lekhi, former Minister of State for External Affairs and Global Chair of the initiative.
  • Actor Shabana Azmi received the BRICS CCI WE Trailblazer: Living Legend recognition for her five decades in Indian cinema.
  • Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog and former President of NASSCOM, was conferred the Lifetime Achievement recognition.
  • Kalpana Murmu Soren, MLA from Gandey, Jharkhand, was recognised as the BRICS CCI WE Inspiring Woman of the Year.
  • Actor and climate advocate Bhumi Pednekar was felicitated as a BRICS CCI WE Woman Icon.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit Delhi on 14-15 May for BRICS foreign ministers meeting (Start of April) ▼
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit New Delhi on 14-15 May to attend the BRICS foreign ministers meeting.
  • The meeting will finalise the general outlines of the documents to be submitted to the BRICS summit under India’s 2026 presidency.
  • Lavrov will hold a separate working visit to meet External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials.

India and Japan forge data partnership for AI-ready smart cities on 24 April 2026

[Japan]

Key Updates:

  • ONESTRUCTION Inc. and DataKaveri Systems signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate construction data into AI-ready urban data exchanges across Indian and Japanese cities.
  • DataKaveri Systems is the commercial arm of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru's Centre of Data for Public Good (CDPG).
  • The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the inaugural Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue.
  • The partnership aims to connect the openBIM platform of ONESTRUCTION, which uses the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) open data standard, with the Intelligent Universal Data Exchange (IUDX).
  • The IUDX is currently operational across 55 smart cities in India, covering urban mobility, utilities, environment, and public services.

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India and Sweden launch Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC) (End of February) ▼
  • India and Sweden have jointly developed a dedicated programme called the Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC).
  • The partnership was formalised through a Statement of Intent to connect the AI and digital technology ecosystems of both nations.
  • Kavita Bhatia, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the IndiaAI Mission, stated that the collaboration positions both countries to shape global technological change based on shared democratic values.
  • Sofia Hogman, Trade and Invest Commissioner of Sweden to India, noted that the corridor initiative aims to create new business opportunities and deliver real-world industrial outcomes.
  • The collaboration focuses on using AI to drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development while managing potential risks.
88 countries sign New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact at India AI Impact Summit (End of February) ▼
  • 88 countries and international organisations, including the United States, China, France, Australia and the UK, signed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact on Friday.
  • The declaration was the key outcome document of the five-day India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi.
  • Signatories endorsed a Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI to promote access to foundational AI resources and support locally relevant innovation.
  • The Global AI Impact Commons was noted as a voluntary platform to encourage adoption and scale-up of successful AI use cases across regions.
  • The Trusted AI Commons was endorsed as a collaborative platform consolidating technical resources, tools, benchmarks and best practices.
  • The declaration backed creation of an International Network of AI for Science Institutions to connect scientific communities and pool AI research capabilities.
  • Signatories endorsed voluntary guiding principles for reskilling in the age of AI and a playbook on AI workforce development.
  • Voluntary Guiding Principles on Resilient, Innovative, and Efficient Artificial Intelligence were also noted in the declaration.
Deakin University and Telangana Government sign MoU for Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) collaboration (Mid of April) ▼
  • 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.
Ashwini Vaishnaw unveils New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at India AI Impact Summit (End of February) ▼
  • Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments, a voluntary framework adopted by global frontier AI companies and Indian innovators.
  • The framework aims to promote inclusive and responsible AI development with a Global South perspective.
  • The first pledge focuses on advancing understanding of real-world AI usage through anonymised and aggregated insights to support evidence-based policymaking on jobs, skills and economic transformation.
  • The second pledge aims to strengthen multilingual and contextual evaluations of AI systems to ensure effective functioning across languages, cultures and practical use cases.
  • The India AI Impact Summit was held in New Delhi and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and global technology leaders.

Philippines' Former President Rodrigo Duterte to Stand Trial at International Criminal Court (ICC) for Crimes Against Humanity

[International Criminal Court]

Key Updates:

  • Former President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, will stand trial for crimes against humanity.
  • The International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed charges regarding the extrajudicial killing of thousands during a war on drugs between 2011 and 2019.
  • The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber ruled that the court has jurisdiction because the alleged crimes occurred while the Philippines was a member of the Rome Statute.
  • The Rome Statute is the founding agreement of the ICC.
  • Judges have authorised more than 500 victims to participate in the proceedings.
  • The trial is being conducted at the Hague.

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Justice Yashwant Varma resigns from Allahabad High Court amid impeachment proceedings (Mid of April) ▼
  • Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court resigned via a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu.
  • His resignation ends the Lok Sabha committee investigation under the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968.
  • Justice Varma was due to retire in 2031 and is now entitled to the same pension benefits as a superannuating judge.
  • He also sent a copy of his resignation letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
  • The controversy involved alleged discovery of burnt cash at his Delhi residence last year.
International Day of Women Judges observed on 10 March (Mid of March) ▼
  • International Day of Women Judges is observed on 10 March every year.
  • The day was established by the United Nations (UN) to promote the full and equal participation of women at all levels of the judiciary.
  • Europe leads with 54 per cent female judges, followed by the Americas with 51 per cent; Oceania, Africa and Asia average 31 per cent, 30 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.
  • The Global Judicial Integrity Network of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brings together judges worldwide to strengthen judicial integrity and gender equality.
  • In 2024 the UNDP–UN Women Gender Justice Platform supported work in 45 countries, helping over 125 000 people and strengthening 82 justice institutions.
India elected to three UN Economic and Social Council subsidiary bodies for 2027-2030 (Mid of April) ▼
  • India was elected by acclamation to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) subsidiary bodies: Commission on Science and Technology for Development 2027-2030, Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations 2027-2030, and Committee for Programme and Coordination 2027-2029.
  • Indian Ambassador Preeti Saran was re-elected to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the term 2027-2030.
  • The UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) holds an annual intergovernmental forum for discussion on issues affecting science, technology and development.
  • The Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by NGOs.
  • The Committee for Programme and Coordination reviews the programmes of the United Nations and assists ECOSOC in its coordination functions.
  • The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
India hosts 12th Asian and Pacific Regional Conference in New Delhi (Mid of March) ▼
  • Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal participated in the 12th Asian and Pacific Regional Conference organised by the All India Prosecutors’ Association (AIPA) in New Delhi.
  • Discussions at the conference focused on judicial system reforms and strengthening the prosecution mechanism.
  • The Minister stated that the government is promoting innovation in the judicial sector through technology and institutional reforms to enhance transparency, accessibility, and effectiveness of the justice system.
  • Efforts are ongoing to ensure swift and accessible justice delivery to all citizens.

India and Czech Republic strengthen bilateral economic cooperation during official visit on April 22-23, 2026

[Czech Republic]

Key Updates:

  • Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada conducted an official visit to the Czech Republic from April 22-23, 2026.
  • The 13th session of the India-Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) was co-chaired in Prague on April 23, 2026.
  • The JCEC protocol was signed to advance collaboration in emerging sectors.
  • The India-Czech Business Forum was inaugurated to strengthen business-to-business ties and promote investment opportunities.
  • High-level bilateral meetings were held with Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Jan Sechter.
  • The visit focused on innovation-driven partnerships in artificial intelligence, robotics, laser science, automotive, and advanced engineering.

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Russia’s First Deputy PM Denis Manturov arrives in New Delhi for strategic India–Russia talks (Start of April) ▼
  • Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for high-level consultations covering defence, energy, trade, and other critical areas of bilateral cooperation.
  • India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted Manturov’s role as co-chair of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological & Cultural Cooperation.
  • Manturov will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the visit.
  • Key topics include defence and security collaboration, energy supply, and trade relations, with particular attention to the implications of the ongoing West Asia conflict.
  • Russia has recently resumed its position as India’s largest crude oil supplier following a month-long US sanction waiver.
  • Earlier consultations in New Delhi were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to visit India from 27 February to 2 March 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will undertake his first official visit to India from 27 February to 2 March 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • On 27 February, Carney will arrive in Mumbai and participate in business engagements with Indian and Canadian CEOs, industry and financial experts, innovators, educators, and Canadian Pension Funds based in India.
  • Carney will arrive in New Delhi on 1 March, followed by delegation-level talks with Modi at Hyderabad House on 2 March.
  • The two leaders will review progress under the India–Canada Strategic Partnership and cooperation in trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research, innovation, and people-to-people ties.
  • Modi and Carney will also attend the India–Canada CEOs Forum on 2 March.
  • Relations had soured in 2024 when Canada expelled six Indian officials after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged credible evidence linking India to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visits United States for Critical Minerals Ministerial from 2 to 5 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar embarked on a three-day visit to the United States (US) from 2 February to 5 February 2026.
  • The EAM will participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
  • The ministerial meeting focuses on supply chain resilience, clean energy transitions, and strategic cooperation in critical minerals.
  • S. Jaishankar is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Marco Rubio to discuss a proposed trade deal and address the downturn in strategic relations.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the visit includes meetings with senior members of the US administration.
  • Earlier on 29 January 2026, the EAM held talks with the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, covering defence, trade, and critical minerals.
Finland President Alexander Stubb arrives in New Delhi; to be Chief Guest at Raisina Dialogue 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • President Alexander Stubb of Finland arrived in New Delhi on 4 March 2026 on a State Visit to India and received a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour.
  • Minister of State for External Affairs V. K. Singh received President Stubb at the airport.
  • President Stubb will be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 11th edition of Raisina Dialogue 2026 scheduled from 5-7 March in New Delhi.
  • During the visit, President Stubb will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attend a luncheon hosted by him.
  • President Stubb will also meet President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
  • After Delhi, President Stubb will travel to Mumbai and meet Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
  • This is President Stubb's first visit to India in his current role as President.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Approves First Malaria Treatment for Newborns

[World Health Organization]

Key Updates:

  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved artemether-lumefantrine, the first antimalarial formulation designed specifically for newborns and young infants weighing between two and five kilograms.
  • World Malaria Day is observed on April 25.
  • According to the WHO world malaria report 2025, there were an estimated 282 million cases and 6,10,000 deaths in 2024.
  • In 2024, 47 countries were certified malaria-free and 37 countries reported fewer than 1,000 cases.
  • India exited the WHO High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024, following an 80.5% decline in malaria cases and a 78.38% decline in malaria deaths between 2015 and 2023.
  • India has set targets to achieve zero indigenous malaria cases by 2027 and full elimination by 2030.
  • On April 14, the WHO prequalified three new rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that target the pf-LDH protein to replace HRP2-based tests that fail to detect certain parasite strains.
  • The WHO recommends that countries switch to alternative RDTs when more than 5% of cases are missed due to pf-hrp2 deletions.
  • The 2026 World Malaria Day campaign is titled Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.
  • Since 2000, an estimated 2.3 billion malaria infections have been prevented and 14 million lives saved worldwide.
  • Twenty-five countries are currently rolling out malaria vaccines, and next-generation mosquito nets account for 84% of all new nets distributed.

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Bangladesh launches emergency measles-rubella campaign on 5 April 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • Bangladesh launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign on 5 April 2026.
  • The campaign targets over 1.2 million children in 30 upazilas.
  • Partners include UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
  • Expansion to four City Corporations starts 12 April 2026, followed by nationwide rollout from 3 May 2026.
  • Children aged 6 to 59 months in high-risk areas are prioritised.
  • Since 2007, Gavi has invested more than US$2.2 billion in measles and measles-rubella immunisation across 57 lower-income countries, reaching over 1.3 billion children.
International Malaria Conference 2026 concludes in New Delhi (Mid of March) ▼
  • International Malaria Conference (IMC) 6 organised by ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) concluded in New Delhi on 9 March 2026 after three days of scientific discussions.
  • Conference theme was 'Discovery, Development and Delivery: Driving Malaria Elimination and Beyond'.
  • Dr Anup Anvikar, Director of ICMR–NIMR, delivered the welcome address.
  • Dr Tanu Jain, Director of National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), attended as a dignitary.
  • Discovery sessions covered parasite biology, malaria transmission dynamics, and molecular mechanisms linked to drug resistance.
  • Development sessions highlighted next-generation malaria diagnostics, advanced surveillance technologies, and research tools for early detection.
  • Delivery sessions focused on translating research into public health solutions, addressing residual transmission, advancing vaccine research, and strengthening community-based control programmes.
  • Turbo talks and poster sessions provided a platform for early-career researchers to present work and interact with global experts.
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signs three MoUs to strengthen drug safety (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the Goa State Pharmacy Council (GSPC), Quality Council of India (QCI), and HLL Infra Tech Services Limited.
  • The agreements aim to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems, enhance professional competencies, and promote uniform standards for medicine quality and patient safety across India.
  • The MoU with the GSPC focuses on the professional development of pharmacists, promotion of the National Formulary of India, and strengthening adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting mechanisms.
  • The collaboration with the GSPC supports the establishment of ADR Monitoring Centres and enhances systematic reporting and documentation practices across healthcare facilities.
  • The IPC and the QCI will collaborate on quality promotion, public health awareness, and capacity building through joint training and awareness programmes in pharmacovigilance.
  • Harsh Mangla, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasised that the MoUs must translate into the achievement of objectives to improve primary and secondary healthcare.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda launches India-made tetanus and adult diphtheria (Td) vaccine under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) (End of February) ▼
  • Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda launched the indigenously manufactured tetanus and adult diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.
  • The Td vaccine has been introduced for supply under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and CRI will supply 55 lakh doses to UIP by April.
  • India achieved Maturity Level 3 in the World Health Organization (WHO) global benchmarking of regulatory systems, reflecting robust vaccine regulatory standards.
  • Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India supplied vaccines to nearly 100 countries, with 48 countries receiving vaccines free of cost.
  • CRI is the first government institute to manufacture vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.
  • Universal Immunization Programme is the world’s largest immunisation programme, providing 11 vaccines against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • The annual immunisation cohort under UIP comprises nearly 5 crore beneficiaries, including around 2.5 crore pregnant women and 2.5 crore children.
  • Vaccine coverage in India has reached nearly 99 per cent due to systematic tracking and sustained immunisation efforts.

Project CETI Identifies Human Speech-Like Patterns in Sperm Whale Communication

Key Updates:

  • Project CETI, a non-profit research initiative in the United States (US), partnered with the University of California, Berkeley to study sperm whale communications.
  • Sperm whales use strings of clicks known as codas for socialising.
  • A study led by linguist Gašper Beguš examined nearly 4,000 codas from 15 individual whales between 2014 and 2018 in the Eastern Caribbean.
  • The data set used in the research was provided by the Dominica Sperm Whale Project.
  • Researchers identified two types of codas based on physical structure: a-codas, which consist of one formant, and i-codas, which consist of two formants.
  • CETI is applying machine learning methods to identify trends and decipher the meaning of whale calls from large arrays of recordings.

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Humpback whale freed in Baltic Sea strands again near Wismar (Start of April) ▼
  • A humpback whale measuring 12–15 m was first stranded on a sandbank off Timmendorfer Strand beach in Germany.
  • An excavator dug an escape channel on Thursday and the whale swam out on Friday.
  • The whale was later spotted stranded again in Wismar Bay, Mecklenburg-Pomerania.
  • Greenpeace confirmed the second stranding on Saturday.
  • The Baltic Sea’s low salinity and lack of suitable food make long-term survival impossible for the whale.
  • The whale has developed a skin disease and must travel several hundred kilometres through German and Danish waters to reach the Atlantic Ocean.
Amondawa tribe lacks abstract time concepts, life measured by stages (Start of March) ▼
  • The Amondawa tribe, an Amazonian group, has no words for 'time', months, years or ages in their language.
  • Life transitions are marked by stages or roles, not by dates or abstract schedules.
  • The tribe was first studied by researchers from the University of Portsmouth and the Federal University of Rondonia in 1986.
  • Chris Sinha, a psychology of language professor, states that for the Amondawa time does not exist independently but is tied to events.
  • The Amondawa do not use spatial metaphors for time (e.g., future as ahead, past as behind) and apply spatial terms only to physical features like rivers and hills.
  • Exposure to Portuguese is enabling younger Amondawa to adopt temporal concepts from other languages.
Desmond Morris Dies Veteran Zoologist and Author (End of April) ▼
  • Desmond Morris was a British zoologist, broadcaster, and author who died at the age of 98.
  • He authored the 1967 international bestseller 'The Naked Ape: A Zoologist’s Study of the Human Animal', which sold over 10 million copies across more than 36 countries.
  • His notable works include 'The Human Zoo', which examined the impact of urban life on human behaviour, and 'Manwatching', a guide to body language and social conduct.
  • Throughout his career, he published more than 90 titles covering human behaviour, animals, art, and popular culture.
  • He appeared on the Zootime TV Programme at London Zoo in 1956.
Researchers Document Sperm Whale Headbutting Behaviour Using Drone Technology (End of March) ▼
  • Researchers from the University of St Andrews documented sperm whales headbutting each other using drone technology, also known as Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
  • The study, published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, revealed that sub-adult whales engage in headbutting behaviour rather than only large adult males.
  • The observations were recorded during fieldwork conducted in the Azores and Balearic Islands between 2020 and 2022.
  • The research was led by Dr Alec Burslem in collaboration with the University of the Azores and Asociación Tursiops.
  • The findings support historical reports of sperm whales ramming vessels, such as the sinking of the whaleship Essex in 1820 which inspired the novel Moby-Dick.

Rocklink India Establishes Lithium-ion Battery and Rare Earth Recycling Facility in Uttar Pradesh

[Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

  • Rocklink India Pvt. Ltd. has established an integrated recycling facility for lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets at the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) Industrial Area in Sikandrabad, Uttar Pradesh.
  • The facility has an initial lithium-ion battery recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year and rare earth magnet processing operations of 60 tonnes per month.
  • A rare-earth chloride processing unit with an annual capacity of 1,500 tonnes is scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of 2026.
  • The plant is registered under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms and is equipped to handle 95 types of battery scrap.
  • The facility utilises an in-house recycling process termed R2 to convert battery waste into reusable components.
  • Recovery rates for metals such as aluminium, copper, and iron are over 98 per cent, producing black mass for further refinement.
  • The facility includes infrastructure for recycling rare earth magnets containing materials such as NdFeB, SmCo, and AlNiCo.
  • Rocklink India is expanding its Magcycle reverse logistics model to India to streamline the collection and movement of magnet scrap.
  • Materials unsuitable for direct recycling are processed into rare earth chlorides using a rotary kiln-based system.

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Eveready Industries India Ltd commissions ₹200 crore alkaline battery plant in Jammu (End of April) ▼
  • Eveready Industries India Ltd (Eveready) has commissioned an alkaline battery manufacturing facility in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, with an investment of around ₹200 crore.
  • The plant is the only operating alkaline battery manufacturing facility in India.
  • The facility has an annual installed capacity of 456 million units and a peak production capacity of approximately 360 million units.
  • The plant is expected to generate over 500 direct and indirect jobs at full scale.
  • The facility includes a 1 MW rooftop solar installation with an annual generation of around 1.2 million units, a rainwater harvesting capacity of 275 KLD, and a zero-discharge system.
  • The alkaline battery portfolio of Eveready is approaching a 20 per cent market share.
Government promotes domestic recycling and circular economy in solar sector (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) estimate India will generate about 600 kilo-tonnes of solar waste by 2030.
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 mandating safe recycling of solar power system waste.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) operates an online Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal for collection, storage and disposal of solar panel waste.
  • MNRE launched the Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies funding research on recycling, second-life applications and sustainable design of solar modules and batteries.
  • The Department of Science and Technology (DST) invited proposals to develop economically viable recycling methods through academia-industry partnerships.
  • The Ministry of Mines set up a Rs. 1,500 crore (US$ 162.3 million) recycling incentive under the National Critical Mineral Mission to recover critical minerals from renewable energy e-waste.
Waaree Energies to Establish ₹8,175 Crore Lithium-ion Battery Gigafactory in Andhra Pradesh (End of February) ▼
  • Waaree Energies will set up an integrated lithium-ion battery gigafactory at Rambilli in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The project involves a total investment of ₹8,175 crore and is expected to generate approximately 3,000 direct jobs.
  • The greenfield facility will have a production capacity of 16 GWh, covering cell manufacturing, battery packs, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
  • The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has granted in-principle approval for the project.
  • The facility is designed to support renewable energy expansion, electric mobility, and grid stability while enhancing strategic manufacturing independence.
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) Launches Reports to Strengthen Circular Economy in Waste Sectors (End of January) ▼
  • National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) released three reports focusing on the circular economy in end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), waste tyres, e-waste, and lithium-ion batteries.
  • The reports were shared during the International Material Recycling Conference (IMRC) organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) in Jaipur.
  • NITI Aayog recommended the development of modern recycling infrastructure and the formalisation of informal recycling activities to improve resource recovery.
  • The reports suggest strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to address challenges in waste management and enforcement.
  • The government of India aims to achieve 30% electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030, following a rise in EV sales from 50,000 units in 2016 to 2.08 million units in 2024.
  • Lithium-ion battery demand is projected to grow from 29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035.
  • The number of ELVs is projected to increase from 23 million in 2025 to 50 million by 2030.
  • E-waste generation in India is expected to rise from 6.19 million metric tonnes in 2024 to 14 million metric tonnes by 2030.

Chinese Scientists Discover New Lunar Mineral Magnesiochangesite-(Ce)

[China]

Key Updates:

  • Chinese scientists discovered a new lunar mineral named Magnesiochangesite-(Ce) in a Moon meteorite.
  • The mineral was certified and named by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA).
  • This discovery brings the total number of known lunar minerals worldwide to 11.
  • China and the United States (US) are now equal in the number of identified minerals originating from the Moon, with four discoveries each.
  • Magnesiochangesite-(Ce) is a rare earth-bearing phosphate mineral that is colourless, transparent, and glows when exposed to UV light.
  • The mineral was found in a 44-gram lunar meteorite named Pakepake 005, which was discovered in 2024 in the Taklamakan Desert.
  • The discovery was made using a high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometer produced by the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS).

Similar Coverage

IIT Kharagpur and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) study Moon's internal structure for Chandrayaan-4 (End of March) ▼
  • Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) and the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) conducted a study on the formation of ancient lunar rocks.
  • The research focuses on ilmenite-bearing cumulates (IBC) that formed approximately 4.3 to 4.4 billion years ago during the Moon's global magma ocean stage.
  • Laboratory simulations recreated lunar conditions using pressures of 3 gigapascals and temperatures exceeding 1,500 degrees Celsius to produce titanium-rich basalts.
  • The study identifies a process called mantle overturn, involving the upward and downward movement of molten material within the Moon's interior.
  • Findings will assist the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in selecting landing sites for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, which aims to retrieve lunar samples and return them to Earth.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to deploy nuclear reactors on the Moon by 2030 (Mid of April) ▼
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aims to place nuclear reactors on the Moon by 2030 through its Fission Surface Power Project.
  • NASA plans to launch a medium-power reactor into orbit by 2028.
  • The Fission Surface Power Project will be a joint effort between NASA, the US Department of Energy, and the Department of Defence.
  • The White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) has shared guidelines for federal agencies to develop a roadmap for space nuclear technology.
  • The Fission Surface Power Project is expected to have a design capacity of 40-100 kilowatts of electricity.
  • The NASA Artemis II mission includes astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen.
  • Nuclear power is being prioritised over solar power because a single lunar night lasts approximately 14 Earth days, and solar panels cannot function in permanently shadowed regions such as the lunar south pole.
  • The project is intended to strengthen the US space technology position relative to China and Russia and serve as a test bed for future crewed missions to Mars.
China approves limited rare earth exports to Japan under stricter dual-use controls (Start of February) ▼
  • China has approved several rare earth exports to Japan under its new dual-use export control regime.
  • Japanese firms confirmed export licences were granted but volumes remain below previous levels.
  • China requires detailed supply-chain disclosure, including final re-export destinations, from Japanese importers.
  • Heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium face the strictest scrutiny under the controls.
  • Nomura Research Institute warned prolonged delays could cause annual production losses exceeding ¥2.6 trillion ($17 billion), shaving 0.43% off Japan’s GDP.
  • Japan’s deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu retrieved rare-earth-rich mud from 6,000 m near Minamitorishima Island, a world first hailed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Japan retrieves rare earth-rich sediment from 6,000 m below Pacific near Minamitorishima (End of March) ▼
  • Japan recovered rare earth-rich sediment from nearly 6,000 m below the Pacific Ocean near Minamitorishima island south of Tokyo using the deep-sea research vessel Chikyu.
  • Surveys in the 2010s indicated the area could hold more than 16 million tonnes of rare earth resources.
  • The collected samples are undergoing analysis to determine exact concentration and composition of rare earth elements.
  • Japan relies heavily on imports for rare earth elements and views the deep-sea project as part of its strategy to diversify supply sources and strengthen economic security.

Finland develops Onkalo, the world's first permanent nuclear waste repository

[Finland]

Key Updates:

  • Finland is constructing the Onkalo facility, a permanent underground repository for highly radioactive waste, located on the island of Olkiluoto.
  • The facility is situated 400 to 450 metres below the surface in bedrock approximately 1.9 billion years old.
  • The repository employs a multi-layered safety system consisting of metal canisters, corrosion-resistant copper capsules, bentonite clay, and solid rock.
  • The Onkalo facility is designed for passive safety to remain secure for up to 100,000 years without human intervention or active monitoring once sealed.
  • The repository is designed to hold approximately 6,500 tonnes of Finland's spent nuclear fuel.

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India's First Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) Attains Criticality at Kalpakkam (Start of April) ▼
  • The first indigenous 500-megawatt electric (MWe) Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has attained criticality.
  • Criticality signifies the initiation of a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction, a vital milestone before full power generation.
  • The reactor is a key component of the second stage of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) three-stage nuclear power programme.
  • The project is managed by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), which was incorporated in 2003 to build and operate the reactor.
  • Upon commissioning, India will be the second country after Russia to have a commercial operating FBR.
  • The FBR uses uranium-plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel surrounded by a Uranium 238 (U238) blanket that undergoes nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel.
  • The first stage of the nuclear programme involves Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium and heavy water (deuterium oxide) as coolant and moderator.
  • India currently has an installed atomic power capacity of 8,180 MWe through the first stage PHWRs.
  • The third stage of the programme aims to utilise thorium reserves found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
United States launches $12 billion civilian critical minerals stockpile under Project Vault (Start of February) ▼
  • The United States is creating a $12 billion strategic critical minerals reserve for non-military civilian purposes.
  • President Trump announced the initiative, named Project Vault, in the Oval Office alongside business executives.
  • The reserve will be funded by a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and $2 billion in private-sector financing.
  • The stockpile targets minerals such as cobalt, graphite, silicon, copper, nickel, titanium and lithium used in electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors and smartphones.
  • In 2024 the U.S. was entirely import-reliant for 12 critical minerals and imported 50% or more of 29 others, according to the White House.
  • The reserve aims to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese rare earths and strengthen American leverage in trade negotiations.
India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) Achieves Criticality at Kalpakkam (Start of April) ▼
  • India's first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, achieved criticality on 6 April at 8:25 pm.
  • The achievement marks the formal entry into the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.
  • The 500 MWe reactor is designed to produce more fuel than it consumes, making it a self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction.
  • The PFBR uses a Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel comprising Plutonium-239 and Uranium-238, with liquid sodium as a coolant.
  • India will be the second country after Russia to operate a commercial fast breeder reactor once the indigenously designed unit is commissioned.
  • The reactor uses fast neutrons to convert Uranium-238 into fissile Plutonium-239, which will eventually feed stage three reactors.
  • Stage three of the programme aims to achieve energy independence by utilising India's thorium reserves, which are the third-largest in the world.
  • The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) will oversee low power physics experiments before the plant reaches full commercial operation, expected by late 2026 or early 2027.
  • Stage one of the national nuclear doctrine involved Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural Uranium-238 to generate energy and Plutonium-239.
NTPC signs MoU with Électricité de France (EDF) to explore nuclear power projects in India (Mid of April) ▼
  • NTPC and Électricité de France (EDF) signed a non-binding MoU on 8 April 2026 to explore cooperation in developing nuclear power projects in India.
  • The agreement sets a framework for jointly assessing the feasibility of deploying EDF’s European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology in India.
  • The collaboration covers evaluation of technology suitability for Indian requirements, localisation opportunities, economic and tariff aspects, training programmes, site identification, and technical support.
  • NTPC has an installed capacity of more than 89 GW, with 32 GW under construction, and targets 149 GW total capacity by 2032 including 60 GW from renewable energy sources.
  • The MoU was signed by Arnada Prasad Samal, CGM (Nuclear Cell), NTPC, and Vakisasi Ramany, Senior Vice President, International Nuclear Development, EDF.

India and Japan Partner to Integrate Construction Data for AI-Ready Smart Cities

[Japan]

Key Updates:

  • ONESTRUCTION Inc., a Tottori-based Japanese construction technology firm, and DataKaveri Systems signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate construction data into AI-ready urban data exchanges across Indian and Japanese cities.
  • DataKaveri Systems is the commercial arm of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru's Centre of Data for Public Good (CDPG).
  • The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the inaugural Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue.
  • The collaboration aims to connect the openBIM platform of ONESTRUCTION, which uses the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) open data standard, with the Intelligent Universal Data Exchange (IUDX).
  • The IUDX is a platform currently live across 55 smart cities in India, covering environment, utilities, urban mobility, and public services.

Similar Coverage

L&T partners with NVIDIA to build gigawatt-scale AI data centre under IndiaAI Mission (Mid of February) ▼
  • Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and NVIDIA will jointly develop a gigawatt-scale artificial intelligence data centre in India as part of the government’s IndiaAI Mission.
  • The partnership will expand NVIDIA GPU cluster capacity to 30 megawatts at L&T’s 300-acre Chennai data centre campus, designed for future gigawatt-scale expansion.
  • A separate 40 megawatt data centre is under development in Mumbai to host additional AI infrastructure.
  • The infrastructure will integrate NVIDIA’s GPUs, CPUs, networking systems and enterprise platforms with L&T’s engineering and infrastructure capabilities.
  • Target sectors for AI workloads include manufacturing, energy, financial services, healthcare and public services.
Google unveils America-India Connect subsea cable and frontier AI partnerships for Indian government bodies (Mid of February) ▼
  • Google will build new subsea cable routes between India, the United States, Singapore, South Africa and Australia under the America-India Connect initiative.
  • The project establishes an international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam and four strategic fibre-optic routes to boost network connectivity.
  • Google had previously announced a $15 billion investment over five years for an AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Google DeepMind will partner with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide access to frontier AI for Science models including AlphaGenome, AI Co-scientist and Earth AI.
  • Google DeepMind will also partner with NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs to integrate robotics, coding, Gemini into teacher workflows and build a safeguarded AI assistant for students.
  • Google.org launched the $30-million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science, an open call for researchers, nonprofits and social enterprises in India and worldwide using AI for scientific breakthroughs.
88 countries sign New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact at India AI Impact Summit (End of February) ▼
  • 88 countries and international organisations, including the United States, China, France, Australia and the UK, signed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact on Friday.
  • The declaration was the key outcome document of the five-day India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi.
  • Signatories endorsed a Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI to promote access to foundational AI resources and support locally relevant innovation.
  • The Global AI Impact Commons was noted as a voluntary platform to encourage adoption and scale-up of successful AI use cases across regions.
  • The Trusted AI Commons was endorsed as a collaborative platform consolidating technical resources, tools, benchmarks and best practices.
  • The declaration backed creation of an International Network of AI for Science Institutions to connect scientific communities and pool AI research capabilities.
  • Signatories endorsed voluntary guiding principles for reskilling in the age of AI and a playbook on AI workforce development.
  • Voluntary Guiding Principles on Resilient, Innovative, and Efficient Artificial Intelligence were also noted in the declaration.
Deakin University and Telangana Government sign MoU for Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) collaboration (Mid of April) ▼
  • 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.

BharatGen and L&T Arms to Build India's Sovereign AI Compute Platform

[BharatGen, Larsen & Toubro]

Key Updates:

  • L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd (LTSCT), Larsen & Toubro-Vyoma, and BharatGen Technology Foundation (BharatGen) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build an end-to-end Sovereign AI compute platform.
  • The collaboration focuses on defining sovereign AI reference architectures and establishing benchmarks for performance, energy, and security.
  • LTSCT will provide custom AI chips, including AI ASIC and xPU silicon platforms, to handle sovereign AI workloads based on BharatGen models.
  • Larsen & Toubro-Vyoma will enable AI-ready compute environments through a 30 MW facility in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, and its hyperscale data centre infrastructure.
  • BharatGen will define representative AI workloads encompassing Large Language Models (LLMs), Large Multimodal Models (LMMs), and Small Language Models (SLMs).
  • BharatGen received formal approval from IndiaAI under the Digital India Corporation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to develop and deploy nationally aligned foundational AI models at scale.
  • The partnership involves the development of a phased three-year implementation roadmap.

Similar Coverage

Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Sign MoU for Digital Transformation (End of April) ▼
  • Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance digital transformation.
  • The partnership focuses on developing solutions in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, 5G, and Cloud Computing.
  • The collaboration was announced by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
  • The agreement aims to facilitate the creation of turnkey solutions, technology transfer, and the commercialisation of pioneering products.
  • This alliance is part of the broader Digital India initiative to foster innovation and strengthen digital infrastructure.
L&T partners with NVIDIA to build gigawatt-scale AI data centre under IndiaAI Mission (Mid of February) ▼
  • Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and NVIDIA will jointly develop a gigawatt-scale artificial intelligence data centre in India as part of the government’s IndiaAI Mission.
  • The partnership will expand NVIDIA GPU cluster capacity to 30 megawatts at L&T’s 300-acre Chennai data centre campus, designed for future gigawatt-scale expansion.
  • A separate 40 megawatt data centre is under development in Mumbai to host additional AI infrastructure.
  • The infrastructure will integrate NVIDIA’s GPUs, CPUs, networking systems and enterprise platforms with L&T’s engineering and infrastructure capabilities.
  • Target sectors for AI workloads include manufacturing, energy, financial services, healthcare and public services.
Indian Army inks MoU with Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bangalore to build indigenous AI for digital battlefield (End of January) ▼
  • Indian Army signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bangalore to develop a fully indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for military use.
  • The collaboration targets AI-driven real-time data processing, predictive analytics and decision-support tools tailored to modern warfare requirements.
  • IISc-Bangalore will contribute expertise in AI, machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing and autonomous systems.
  • The project aligns with Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and the national Atmanirbhar Bharat push for self-reliant defence R&D.
  • Industry partners such as Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and iDEX scheme startups are expected to support hardware and software integration.
  • The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign vendors and strengthen India’s position against adversaries’ AI-integrated warfare systems.
  • Funding may draw from the Army’s Technology Development Fund and the newly announced INR 1 lakh crore Defence R&D corpus.
  • Ethical safeguards include robust data governance, bias mitigation and cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive military datasets.
  • Successful prototypes could undergo trials at the Army’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) before induction within 3-5 years.
  • The partnership may extend AI interoperability to the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, embedding AI as a tri-service force multiplier.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru (Mid of February) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
  • He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
  • Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and launched BEL's AI Policy.
  • He was briefed on indigenous defence technologies including AI-based solutions developed by Indian start-ups.
  • BEL showcased ongoing R&D aligned with programmes such as Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Systems (QRSAM), Light Combat Aircraft Mark II (LCA Mk II), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM), Counter Drone Systems, and Naval Weapon Control Systems.
  • Indigenously developed air defence and anti-drone systems were effectively utilised during Operation Sindoor.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Unveils Roman Space Telescope

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]

Key Updates:

  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) unveiled the Roman space telescope to scan for planets outside the solar system and probe dark matter and dark energy.
  • The telescope is named after astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, referred to as the Mother of Hubble.
  • The Roman space telescope cost over $4 billion and took more than a decade to build.
  • The telescope features a field of view at least 100 times larger than the Hubble space telescope and will be positioned 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.
  • The telescope is expected to transmit 11 terabytes of data per day to Earth.
  • The Roman space telescope is scheduled to be launched aboard a SpaceX rocket from Florida in September at the earliest.
  • The telescope will complement the James Webb Space Telescope, Europe's Euclid space telescope, and the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile.
  • The mission aims to discover tens of thousands of new planets, billions of galaxies, thousands of supernovae, and tens of billions of stars.

Similar Coverage

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Completes Assembly of Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (End of April) ▼
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has completed the final assembly of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
  • The telescope is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, with a target launch window as early as fall 2026 or by May 2027.
  • The observatory features a primary mirror measuring about 2.4 metres and a field of view approximately 100 times greater than the Hubble Space Telescope.
  • The mission's primary objectives include studying dark energy and dark matter, and mapping the distribution and movement of galaxies.
  • The telescope will use a specialised coronagraph instrument to enable direct imaging of exoplanets and their surrounding disks.
  • The observatory will be positioned at Lagrange Point 2, located nearly one million miles from Earth.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Completes Assembly of Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (End of April) ▼
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has completed the final assembly of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
  • The telescope is expected to launch in 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
  • The mission aims to study dark energy, dark matter, galaxy formation, and distant planetary systems using visible and near-infrared light.
  • The observatory features a primary mirror approximately 2.4 metres wide and can collect data around 1,000 times faster than the Hubble Space Telescope during survey operations.
  • Each image captured by the telescope will cover an area of the sky roughly 100 times larger than a single shot from Hubble.
  • The telescope is equipped with a coronagraph designed to block bright starlight to enable direct imaging of large exoplanets, particularly gas giants similar to Jupiter.
  • The coronagraph system may detect planets up to 100 million times dimmer than their host stars.
  • Following launch, the telescope will travel nearly one million miles from Earth to be positioned at Lagrange Point 2.
  • The telescope will be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center for final preparations after undergoing vibration and thermal simulations.
New Dark Matter Theory Challenges Existence of Sagittarius A* Black Hole (Mid of April) ▼
  • Astronomers have proposed a theoretical model suggesting that Sagittarius A
  • , the object at the centre of the Milky Way, may be a dense concentration of dark matter rather than a supermassive black hole.
  • The traditional interpretation of the galactic core is based on the presence of a black hole with a mass equivalent to approximately four million Suns.
  • The new hypothesis suggests that dark matter consisting of fermions could create an extremely dense core at the centre of the galaxy surrounded by a large dark matter halo.
  • This dark matter configuration aims to explain the high-velocity orbits of S-stars near the galactic core and the overall rotation curve of the Milky Way.
  • The model proposes that the dark central region observed by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) could be caused by gravitational lensing effects produced by concentrated dark matter rather than an event horizon.
  • If supported, the theory would imply a continuous mass distribution from the galactic centre to the halo instead of a single central singularity.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope produces highest-resolution dark-matter map covering 800,000 galaxies. (End of January) ▼
  • NASA's James Webb Space Telescope identified nearly 800,000 galaxies to create the most detailed dark-matter map over such a large sky area.
  • The map has twice the resolution of previous attempts using the Hubble Space Telescope and captures galaxies spanning the past 10 billion years.
  • The study, led by Diana Scognamiglio of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was published in Nature Astronomy.
  • Dark matter comprises just over 25% of the universe, while ordinary matter makes up only 5% and dark energy fills the remainder.
  • Scientists infer dark-matter distribution by measuring how its gravity warps light from distant galaxies, a technique called gravitational lensing.

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Misplaces AST SpaceMobile Satellite

[Blue Origin, AST SpaceMobile]

Key Updates:

  • A Blue Origin New Glenn reusable rocket failed to place the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 communications satellite in the designated low Earth orbit during its third mission on April 19, 2026.
  • The launch was conducted from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S.
  • The BlueBird 7 satellite will be de-orbited as its altitude is too low to sustain operations with its onboard thruster technology.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 6 satellite using the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 from Sriharikota on December 23.
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has hired Blue Origin and SpaceX to provide landers to transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface of the moon as soon as 2028.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is overseeing a mishap investigation into the failure, which early data suggests was caused by one of the BE-3U engines producing insufficient thrust during the second GS2 burn.

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Blue Origin achieves first landing of reused New Glenn rocket booster (End of April) ▼
  • Blue Origin successfully landed the reusable booster of the New Glenn rocket at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
  • The mission was the third for New Glenn and utilised a booster named Never Tell Me the Odds, which had previously flown in November.
  • The rocket carried the BlueBird 7 satellite, owned by AST SpaceMobile, designed for a space-based cellular broadband network.
  • BlueBird 7 is the second satellite in the next-generation Block 2 constellation and features the largest commercial communications array deployed in low-Earth orbit.
  • The BlueBird 7 satellite was placed into a lower than planned orbit and will be de-orbited.
  • Blue Origin announced plans to build a larger and more powerful variant of its rocket called New Glenn 9x4.
  • Blue Origin is developing the Blue Moon lander for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and aims to achieve an uncrewed soft lunar landing, Mark 1, this summer.
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently conducted the successful Artemis II lunar flyby.
Skyroot Aerospace to Launch Vikram-1 Orbital Rocket in April 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space startup founded in 2018, is scheduled to debut its Vikram-1 orbital launch vehicle in April 2026.
  • The Vikram-1 rocket is designed to deliver a payload of approximately 350 kg to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
  • The company is developing a second vehicle, Vikram-2, which will utilise a cryogenic upper stage to increase payload capacity to 1,100 kg.
  • Skyroot Aerospace employs advanced technologies including solid propellant boosters, carbon composites, and 3D printed engines.
  • The firm has invested in capital expenditure to establish an in-house production capacity of 12 rockets per year.
  • For the 2026 financial year, the company aims to conduct between four and six launches, depending on launch port availability.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is transitioning operational activities in satellite manufacturing and launching to the private sector under India’s new space policy.
  • The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (InSPACe) acts as the regulatory and promotional body for the domestic space sector.
  • The Indian government expects to require launches for approximately 100 small satellites over the next five to six years.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiates $30 million plan to rescue Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (End of March) ▼
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has signed a $30 million (₹283.8 crore) agreement with Katalyst Space Technologies to prevent the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth.
  • The observatory was launched into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2004 using a Delta 7320 rocket as part of the Medium Explorer (MIDEX) programme.
  • Increased solar activity has heated the upper atmosphere, causing the observatory to lose altitude and fall below its operational orbit of 400 kilometres.
  • Katalyst Space Technologies is developing a three-armed robotic spacecraft to dock with the observatory and push it to a higher altitude of 550 kilometres.
  • The rescue craft will be launched using a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket, which is deployed from a modified jet aircraft.
  • The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is equipped with a Burst Alert Telescope to detect gamma-ray bursts, which are the most powerful explosions in the universe.
  • The successful completion of the reboost mission is expected to extend the operational lifespan of the observatory by approximately one decade.
SpaceX to Launch Falcon 9 with 25 Starlink Satellites from California (Start of February) ▼
  • SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 25 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
  • According to Indian Standard Time (IST), the launch window is scheduled from 20:47 on February 2, 2026, to 00:47 on February 3, 2026.
  • The mission will utilise a first-stage booster that has already flown 30 times, marking its 31st flight as part of the company’s reusability programme.
  • Following stage separation, the first stage is planned to perform a controlled landing on the Pacific Ocean-based droneship named Of Course I Still Love You.
  • The Falcon 9 is a two-stage reusable rocket whose first stage is propelled by nine Merlin engines using liquid oxygen and rocket-grade paraffin as fuel.

Pakistan withdraws from 2026 SAFF Women's Championship in India

[Pakistan, South Asian Football Federation]

Key Updates:

  • The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) officially withdrew from the 2026 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship.
  • The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 25 to June 6 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.
  • The championship will proceed with a six-nation lineup consisting of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives.
  • Bangladesh is the defending champion, having won the 2022 and 2024 editions.
  • India is the record five-time champion of the SAFF Women's Championship, with titles won in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019.
  • India previously hosted the SAFF Women's Championship in 2016 in Siliguri, West Bengal.
  • The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium previously hosted the 1999 men's championship, where India won the title by defeating Bangladesh in the final.

Similar Coverage

India thrash Pakistan by 61 runs in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup group stage match on 15 February 2026.
  • India scored 175 for 7 in 20 overs with Ishan Kishan top-scoring with 77 runs off 40 balls.
  • Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
  • India won the toss and elected to bat first.
  • India topped Group A with three wins out of three matches.
  • Pakistan remained second in Group A and need to beat Namibia to qualify for the Super 8s.
India defeat Wales to qualify for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • India defeated Wales 4-1 in a Pool B match of the women’s hockey World Cup Qualifiers at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Ground in Hyderabad.
  • Navneet Kaur scored a hat-trick for India, finding the net in the 29th, 34th and 55th minutes.
  • Sakshi Rana opened the scoring for India in the 7th minute.
  • India finished as Pool B table-toppers ahead of Scotland on goal difference.
  • India secured qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 before the semifinals because they cannot drop below Japan (world No 15) in the rankings even if they lose their remaining matches.
India U-17 blanks Bangladesh 4-0 to win SAFF U-19 Women's Championship (Start of February) ▼
  • India's U-17 women's team defeated Bangladesh 4-0 in the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship final at Pokhara.
  • Captain Julan Nongmaithem scored in the 42nd minute to give India the lead.
  • Elizabed Lakra converted a 63rd-minute penalty to double India's advantage.
  • Pearl Fernandes added the third goal in the 68th minute after dispossessing the goalkeeper.
  • Substitute Anwita Raghuraman completed the scoring in the 83rd minute.
  • India had earlier lost 0-2 to Bangladesh in the round-robin stage of the tournament.
India defeats Italy to qualify for Hockey World Cup 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • India women's national field hockey team qualified for the Hockey World Cup 2026 by reaching the final of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World Cup Qualifiers.
  • The Indian team defeated Italy 1-0 in the semi-final match held at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Stadium in Hyderabad on 13 March 2026.
  • Manisha Chauhan scored the winning goal for India in the 40th minute through a penalty corner drag-flick.
  • India is set to face the England women's national field hockey team in the final of the tournament on 14 March 2026.
  • Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam and Italian goalkeeper Lucia Ines Caruso recorded key saves during the match.
  • Indian players Navneet Kaur and Salima Tete were involved in significant penalty corner attempts during the first half.

India selected for FIFA Women's Development Programme

[Fédération Internationale de Football Association]

Key Updates:

  • India is one of 12 countries selected by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for its Women's Development Programme.
  • The other selected nations are Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Finland, Ghana, Jordan, Lithuania, and Paraguay.
  • The programme will be conducted online from May to October 2026.
  • The All India Football Federation (AIFF) secured inclusion after presenting a commercial strategy and future plans to FIFA.
  • The programme aims to provide capacity building for clubs in developing commercial strategies, securing sponsorships, and engaging fans.
  • The initiative prepares clubs for the women's club licensing system planned by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
  • India's senior, U20, and U17 women's teams have qualified for the AFC Asian Cups in their respective age categories.
  • The ASMITA U13 Women's Football League has been utilised to create a base at the youth level.

Similar Coverage

ICC launches inaugural Women's T20I Challenge Trophy in Rwanda (Mid of April) ▼
  • The International Cricket Council (ICC) launched the inaugural Women's T20I Challenge Trophy in Kigali, Rwanda.
  • The five-team tournament features Rwanda, Italy, Nepal, United States of America (USA), and Vanuatu.
  • The event is scheduled to take place from 18 April to 2 May at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium.
  • The competition is designed as a double round-robin event to provide competitive international exposure to Associate Member nations.
  • Nepal is the highest-ranked side in the competition, currently holding the 21st position in the ICC Women's T20I rankings.
  • Vanuatu is the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, currently holding the 30th position in the rankings.
  • The ICC confirmed that the Women's T20 World Cup will expand to 12 teams in 2026 and further to 16 teams in 2030.
Kushal Das, former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary, passes away. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Kushal Das died at the age of 66 at a private hospital in Delhi.
  • He served as AIFF general secretary for 12 years before resigning in 2022.
  • Das previously held the post of Chief Financial Officer at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and International Management Group (IMG) India.
  • He played a key role in organising the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by India.
  • Under his tenure, India secured hosting rights for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
  • He facilitated the partnership between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) leading to the launch of the Indian Super League (ISL).
India defeat Wales to qualify for FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • India defeated Wales 4-1 in a Pool B match of the women’s hockey World Cup Qualifiers at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Ground in Hyderabad.
  • Navneet Kaur scored a hat-trick for India, finding the net in the 29th, 34th and 55th minutes.
  • Sakshi Rana opened the scoring for India in the 7th minute.
  • India finished as Pool B table-toppers ahead of Scotland on goal difference.
  • India secured qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 before the semifinals because they cannot drop below Japan (world No 15) in the rankings even if they lose their remaining matches.
India defeats Italy to qualify for Hockey World Cup 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • India women's national field hockey team qualified for the Hockey World Cup 2026 by reaching the final of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World Cup Qualifiers.
  • The Indian team defeated Italy 1-0 in the semi-final match held at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Stadium in Hyderabad on 13 March 2026.
  • Manisha Chauhan scored the winning goal for India in the 40th minute through a penalty corner drag-flick.
  • India is set to face the England women's national field hockey team in the final of the tournament on 14 March 2026.
  • Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam and Italian goalkeeper Lucia Ines Caruso recorded key saves during the match.
  • Indian players Navneet Kaur and Salima Tete were involved in significant penalty corner attempts during the first half.

Names of 33,000 Indian soldiers added to First World War memorial on April 24, 2026

Key Updates:

  • 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.

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Indian Railways signs pact with Indian Army for Agniveer and ex-servicemen recruitment (End of February) ▼
  • Indian Railways (IR) and the Indian Army (IA) have formalised a framework of cooperation to expand post-retirement employment opportunities for Agniveers and IA personnel.
  • The IR will recruit over 5,000 ex-servicemen as pointsmen on a contract basis to fill vacancies.
  • A 10% horizontal reservation in level-2 and above posts and a 20% reservation in level-1 posts has been provisioned for ex-servicemen.
  • For ex-Agniveers, a 5% reservation in level-2 and above posts and a 10% reservation in level-1 posts has been earmarked.
  • A total of 14,788 posts were reserved for ex-servicemen in IR vacancy notifications during 2024 and 2025.
  • The target beneficiaries of this framework are Agniveers and retired IA personnel.
Operation Demolishment targets over 200 Naxal memorials in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. (End of February) ▼
  • Security forces demolished 203 Naxal memorials and monuments in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh under Operation Demolishment.
  • Chhattisgarh recorded 149 demolitions from 2023 to 2026, with 130 razed in 2026 alone.
  • Maharashtra reported 55 demolitions from 2023 to 2026, including 45 removed in 2026.
  • Officials state the memorials were used by Naxal outfits for ideological outreach and recruitment in remote forested regions.
  • Operation Demolishment is part of a broader counterinsurgency strategy to dismantle the military and ideological backbone of Naxalism.
India: COAS General Upendra Dwivedi flags off culmination ceremony of Bharat RannBhoomi Darshan D2D Expedition at National War Memorial, New Delhi (End of February) ▼
  • Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi flagged off the culmination ceremony of Bharat RannBhoomi Darshan D2D Expedition at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
  • The 22-day expedition covered approximately 3,400 kilometres, starting from Dwarka on 3 February 2026.
  • Led jointly by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Border Security Force (BSF), the expedition traversed key locations across Gujarat and Rajasthan to honour war heroes and showcase India’s military heritage.
Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs during foundation day of 5th Bihar Battalion. (End of January) ▼
  • Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs on 28 January 2026.
  • The event was held at Bihar Regiment Centre, Danapur in Patna, India.
  • The tribute was part of the foundation day celebrations of the 5th Bihar Battalion.

Supreme Court (SC) Rules on Reproductive Autonomy under Article 21

[Supreme Court (India)]

Key Updates:

  • The Supreme Court (SC) allowed a 15-year-old minor to terminate a seven-month pregnancy, citing reproductive autonomy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • A bench comprising Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan stated that a woman's choice outweighs the interest of the unborn foetus in such cases.
  • The plea was filed as the pregnancy had exceeded the statutory limit prescribed by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
  • The SC ruled that the right to make decisions concerning one's body is an integral facet of personal liberty and privacy under Article 21.
  • The court noted that compelling a minor to carry a pregnancy to full term against her will could inflict grave mental, emotional, and physical trauma.
  • The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) was identified as the official body for child adoption processes in India.

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International Day of the Unborn Child observed on March 25 (End of March) ▼
  • International Day of the Unborn Child is observed on March 25 every year.
  • The observance was first officially established in Argentina in 1998 under President Carlos Menem.
  • March 25 was chosen because it coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation in the Christian calendar.
  • Guatemala, Chile, and El Salvador later adopted similar commemorations.
  • In 2003, the Knights of Columbus and other international organizations began promoting the day globally.
  • St. John Paul II expressed support for the initiative.
Supreme Court seeks Centre and states' response on PIL over RTE Act and NEP 2020 implementation. (Mid of April) ▼
  • Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to Centre, all states and Union Territories on PIL by advocate Haripriya Patel.
  • PIL alleges uneven implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act across states since its enactment over a decade ago.
  • Petition highlights disparities in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 rollout with states following different timelines and approaches.
  • Plea urges bringing pre-primary education within enforceable ambit of RTE Act to ensure foundational learning rights.
Supreme Court of India (SC) refuses voting rights to 34 lakh West Bengal residents with pending electoral roll appeals. (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Supreme Court of India (SC) bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to permit 34 lakh appellants excluded from West Bengal electoral rolls to vote in the 2026 polls while their appeals remain pending.
  • The Court was hearing petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and a suo motu case on the gherao of judicial officers in Malda district.
  • Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that allowing excluded persons to vote would undermine the voting rights of those already included in the rolls.
  • Justice Bagchi clarified that appellants whose appeals are allowed by 9 April will be included in the electoral roll even if the decision comes shortly after the 6 April list publication.
  • The bench directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government to continue security for judicial officers until elections conclude and to withdraw protection only by further Court orders.
Supreme Court (SC) ruling on maternity leave for adoptive mothers on March 17, 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that all adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of the age of the adopted child.
  • A bench comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan read down Section 60(4) of The Code on Social Security-2020.
  • The SC held that the previous provision limiting maternity leave to children adopted below the age of three months violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
  • The court urged the Central Government to introduce provisions recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit.
  • The ruling established that maternity protection is a basic human right associated with the process of motherhood rather than just childbirth.
  • The judgment stated that adoption is an exercise of reproductive and decisional autonomy under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Guntur Municipal Corporation wins 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation Award on April 22, 2026

[United Nations Industrial Development Organization]

Key Updates:

  • The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) secured the 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation (GEM) Award.
  • The award was presented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the International Day of Women in Industry 2026 celebrations in Vienna on April 22, 2026.
  • The civic body was recognised for the deployment of 200 women as electric auto drivers for door-to-door garbage collection.
  • The award was received on behalf of GMC by Sustainable Cities Project Manager and Industrial Development Officer Olga Rataj.
  • GMC has also earned State-level recognition for property tax collection.

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Nita Ambani conferred KISS Humanitarian Award 2025 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, received the KISS Humanitarian Award 2025 at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) campus in Bhubaneswar.
  • The award was presented by Nobel Laureate Mohan Munasinghe in the presence of Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS.
  • The honour recognises Reliance Foundation’s contributions to social development in education, healthcare, rural transformation, women’s empowerment and sports.
  • The KISS Humanitarian Award, instituted in 2008, is the highest honour of KISS and carries a citation and a gold-plated trophy.
Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Awards Conferred with Top Prizes of ₹1 Crore (End of January) ▼
  • Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, conferred the National Awards for Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 28 January 2026.
  • The MYGS initiative involved over 28,000 students from 619 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) participating in simulated Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat proceedings.
  • In the JNV category, JNV Una (Himachal Pradesh) won the first prize of ₹1 crore, JNV Kannur (Kerala) won the second prize of ₹75 lakh, and JNV Ukhrul-I (Manipur) won the third prize of ₹50 lakh.
  • In the EMRS category, EMRS Kosambuda (Chhattisgarh) secured the first prize of ₹1 crore, EMRS Hirli (Odisha) won the second prize of ₹75 lakh, and EMRS Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) won the third prize of ₹50 lakh.
  • The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Prime Minister’s vision of nurturing one lakh young leaders across the country through experiential civic learning.
  • A comprehensive MYGS Compendium in English and Hindi was released to document the journey of students gaining first-hand exposure to grassroots governance and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI).
Raj Unnati Initiative: Rajasthan CM Reviews Projects and Schemes Worth ₹2,000 Crore (End of January) ▼
  • Chief Minister (CM) Bhajanlal Sharma chaired the first meeting of the Raj Unnati initiative to review seven projects and two schemes involving an estimated expenditure of ₹2,000 crore.
  • The CM directed the implementation of a cashless alternative model for the PM Suryaghar 150 Units Free Electricity Scheme (PM Suryaghar) to accelerate rooftop solar installations.
  • Instructions were issued to complete the annual verification of beneficiaries under special disability pensions and the Palanhaar Scheme to release pending payments.
  • Infrastructure projects reviewed include the Hira Pura Bus Terminal in Jaipur, land acquisition for the Ajmer–Chanderia broad-gauge railway doubling project, and the establishment of girls’ military schools.
  • The review encompassed the development of solid waste processing plants, faecal sludge treatment plants, and sports and health infrastructure.
  • The CM mandated the use of the Rajasthan Sampark Helpline for verifying grievance redressal and ordered the replacement of burnt or faulty transformers within a prescribed time frame.
  • District Collectors were instructed to expedite land allotment for development projects and ensure tenders are issued promptly after allocation.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 on 30 individuals. (End of January) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu approved the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak for six persons.
  • Six persons received the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak.
  • Eighteen persons were awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak.
  • Six of the 30 awardees are being honoured posthumously.
  • The awards recognise meritorious acts of human nature in saving a life.

New book The Curious and the Classified launched by Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane

Key Updates:

  • Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd) released a non-fiction book titled The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries.
  • The book is published by Rupa Publications and explores lesser-known aspects, myths, and memories of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • The book covers various topics including the 1944 Battle of Kohima, the fate of INS Khukri, the story of Captain Baba Harbhajan Singh, the origins of the phrase Chak de Phatte, the story of Badluram, and a military mule named Pedongi.
  • General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd) authored a fiction work titled The Cantonment Conspiracy released in 2025.
  • The unpublished memoir of General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd) is titled Four Stars of Destiny.
  • General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd) served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff from December 2019 to April 2022.
  • He was commissioned into the 7th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1980.
  • He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.

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Gen MM Naravane authored unpublished memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny'. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Gen MM Naravane served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from December 2019 to April 2022.
  • Penguin agreed to publish his memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny' after a casual conversation at a March 2023 book launch for General Bipin Rawat.
  • The memoir was scheduled for publication in April 2024 but remains unpublished pending Ministry of Defence (MoD) clearance since 2023.
  • The unpublished book contains 448 pages and covers events from Galwan to the Agnipath scheme.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated the book is withheld because its contents are not factually correct.
  • On 4 February 2026 Rahul Gandhi displayed a printed copy in Parliament and quoted Naravane’s claim that the PM’s message during the 2020 border tensions was 'Jo uchit samjho, woh karo'.
Major General Bipin Bakshi, Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, and Brigadier Akhelesh Bhargava author Redlines Redrawn on Operation Sindoor. (End of January) ▼
  • Major General Bipin Bakshi, Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, and Brigadier Akhelesh Bhargava co-author the book Redlines Redrawn: Operation Sindoor and India’s New Normal published by Konark Publishers priced at ₹995.
  • The book analyses the build-up, execution, and ramifications of Operation Sindoor from military, diplomatic, and airpower perspectives.
  • Air Marshal Anil Chopra is quoted in the book as a leading expert on airpower assessing Operation Sindoor’s demonstration of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Hugh Gantzer, Renowned Travel Writer and Padma Shri Recipient, Passes Away at 95 (Start of February) ▼
  • Hugh Gantzer, a veteran travel writer and former Commander in the Indian Navy, passed away at the age of 95 in Mussoorie.
  • Hugh and his late wife Colleen Gantzer were jointly awarded the Padma Shri in 2025 for their extensive contributions to travel literature.
  • The duo authored approximately 3,000 articles and a dozen books, including a 1974 work on Kerala commissioned by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
  • They hosted the popular 1980s television series titled Looking Beyond With Hugh & Colleen Gantzer on Doordarshan.
  • The couple wrote a series of mystery thrillers under the pseudonym Shyam Dave, which are considered among the first English-language thrillers written in India.
  • Hugh Gantzer was the founder of the Save Mussoorie Society and the Surahit Himalaya, through which he campaigned against limestone quarrying and unregulated development.
  • His notable literary works include Mussoorie’s Mythhistory, a book containing 12 stories that blended the history of the hill station with fiction.
  • Hugh Gantzer was laid to rest at the Camel’s Back Cemetery in Mussoorie.
B.P. Singh assumes charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA). (Start of March) ▼
  • B.P. Singh took over as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, on 1 March 2026.
  • He succeeded Divakar Jayant, who superannuated on 28 February 2026.
  • Singh is a 1994-batch officer of the Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS).
  • He previously served as Chief General Manager at Naval Armament Depot (NAD), Mumbai.
  • Singh is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of National Institute of Technology Patna and an alumnus of the National Defence College.

National Administrative Professional Day observed on April 22, 2026

Key Updates:

  • National Administrative Professional Day was observed on April 22, 2026.
  • The Blood Tribe Administration (BTA) recognised the contributions of support staff, including Administrative Assistants, Office Managers, and Receptionists.
  • The event took place at the Shot Both Sides Building in Standoff, Alberta.

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National Civil Services Day observed on April 21 (End of April) ▼
  • National Civil Services Day is observed annually on April 21.
  • The Government of India began celebrating National Civil Services Day in 2006 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
  • The day commemorates the address by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the newly appointed officers of the Indian Civil Services on April 21, 1947, where he termed them the Steel Frame of India.
  • The Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration is presented on this day, which includes a medal, scroll, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
  • India's civil services include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and various All-India and Central Services.
  • Charles Cornwallis is referred to as the Father of Indian Civil Services for reforming and structuring the services and introducing the division between covenanted and uncovenanted services.
  • Warren Hastings laid the foundations of the Indian Civil Services.
Administrative Capacity Building Programme for Scientists and Academicians Launched under Mission Karmayogi (Start of April) ▼
  • Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the first-ever Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians programme under the Mission Karmayogi framework.
  • The programme aims to equip academic leaders and scientists with governance skills and decision-making capabilities for leadership roles.
  • The initiative was announced during a Special Session of SADHANA Saptah held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
  • The Capacity Building Commission (CBC) will develop structured modules for administrative functions, including a focused course on answering Parliamentary Questions.
  • The Minister launched the revamped UNNATI portal to strengthen institutional capacity-building ecosystems.
  • A roadmap for the national rollout of the Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram was introduced during the event.
  • The CBC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) to foster global knowledge partnerships.
  • The CBC-RIS collaboration focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) in governance, digital transformation, and public sector innovation.
  • Short-format orientation modules will be designed for early-career civil servants and Assistant Secretaries to familiarise them with governance systems.
Karmayogi Sadhana Week 2026 launched to enhance civil-service capabilities (Start of April) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Karmayogi Sadhana Week 2026 on 2 April 2026.
  • The initiative promotes the mantra 'Nagrik Devo Bhav' for citizen-centric governance.
  • The week-long programme unites ministries, states, and training institutions for national capacity building.
  • Activities include webinars and workshops themed around Technology, Tradition, and Tangible Outcomes.

Spanish Language Day observed on April 23

[United Nations]

Key Updates:

  • Spanish Language Day (Día del Idioma Español) is observed annually on April 23.
  • The day was established by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate the history, culture, and use of Spanish.
  • The date coincides with the anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes in 1616, the author of Don Quixote.
  • The holiday was originally created in 1926 by Spanish writer Vicente Clavel Andrés and was later adopted by the UN in 2010.
  • Spanish is the official language in 21 countries and is the second most spoken language in the world by native population, with over 500 million native speakers.
  • The Real Academia Española (RAE) is the institution that regulates the Spanish language.
  • Don Quixote is cited as the first modern novel and is the most translated book after the Bible.
  • Spanish is the most studied second language in the United States.

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English Language Day observed on April 23 (End of April) ▼
  • English Language Day is observed on April 23 to commemorate the contributions of William Shakespeare.
  • The date marks the birth and death anniversary of William Shakespeare, who added over 1,700 new words and phrases to the English language.
  • English Language Day was officially established by the United Nations (UN) in 2010.
  • English is one of the two official working languages of the UN, alongside French.
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.
International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day observed on 20 March (End of March) ▼
  • International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day is observed on 20 March.
  • French brings together hundreds of millions of people around the world.
  • At the United Nations (UN), French is part of everyday life, shaping debates and work on the ground.
International Mother Language Day 2026 observed on 21 February with theme 'Youth voices on multilingual education' (End of February) ▼
  • International Mother Language Day 2026 is observed on 21 February 2026.
  • UNESCO marks the day under the theme 'Youth voices on multilingual education'.
  • The observance reinforces UNESCO’s commitment through the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
  • Dr. Naga Lakshmi Chelluri, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad, highlights the need to preserve ancient languages in a globalized multicultural world.

India approves ₹30 billion for Maldives under SAARC Currency Swap Framework

[Maldives, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]

Key Updates:

  • India approved the first withdrawal of ₹30 billion for the Maldives as part of its continuing economic and financial assistance.
  • The funds are being released under the first drawdown of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Currency Swap Framework.
  • The announcement was made by the Indian High Commission in Male on 24 April 2026.
  • The Maldives Foreign Ministry stated that the settlement of a $400 million facility reflects the government's commitment to meeting its financial obligations.

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Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) sign AED 20 billion currency swap agreement. (Start of April) ▼
  • The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) signed a currency swap agreement worth AED 20 billion (BHD 2 billion).
  • The five-year arrangement was formalised during a virtual ceremony by Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, and Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain.
  • The agreement aims to strengthen coordination between the two central banks and support trade and investment flows by encouraging the use of local currencies.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank of Japan (BoJ) Renew $75 Billion Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) (Start of March) ▼
  • The RBI and the BoJ renewed the BSA with effect from 28 February 2026.
  • The size of the facility remains unchanged at up to $75 billion.
  • The BoJ acted as the agent for Japan’s Ministry of Finance to sign the third amendment and restatement agreement of the BSA.
  • The arrangement is a two-way currency swap framework allowing both authorities to exchange local currencies for the US dollar.
  • The pact aims to strengthen financial safety nets and contribute to regional and global financial stability.
India gifts Maldives first high-speed ferry under 12-ferry transport link project (Mid of February) ▼
  • India handed over the first of 12 high-speed ferries to the Maldives to launch Raajje Transport Link (RTL) services in Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls.
  • The ferry was built with Indian assistance under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Phase III MoU signed in January 2025.
  • India will provide a total of 12 high-speed ferries to the Maldives as part of the existing agreement.
  • India signed 13 MoUs with the Maldives on 18 May 2024 for enhancing ferry services under HICDP Phase III with an MVR 100 million grant.
  • The total grant for the 13 projects under HICDP Phase III amounts to MVR 100 million (about ₹55.28 crore).
  • Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives G Balasubramaniam stated that India has provided USD 29.5 million to the Maldives over four phases for transport, sports, coastal protection, health, and education projects.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives in July 2024 and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu visited India in October 2024.
Maldives formally rejects UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands transfer deal (End of March) ▼
  • Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu conveyed non-recognition of the UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands deal through two written objections (November 2024 and January 2026) and a phone call with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
  • The President's Office termed the UK proceeding "in sole consultation with Mauritius" as "deeply concerning" and asserted Maldives' historical claim to the archipelago.
  • The UK pays an average £101 million per year to lease the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest Chagos island.
  • International Court of Justice (ICJ) 2019 advisory opinion and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) 2023 ruling endorsed Mauritius' claim, calling the 1965 separation unlawful.
  • US President Donald Trump urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to cede the territory, placing the UK-Mauritius deal on indefinite hold.
  • Maldives government is evaluating legal options, including a formal submission to ICJ, to assert sovereign rights over the Chagos Archipelago.

Ashok Lahiri Appointed Vice Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)

[National Institution for Transforming India (India)]

Key Updates:

  • Ashok Lahiri has been appointed as the Vice Chairman of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog).
  • Lahiri replaces Suman Bery in the role of Vice Chairman.
  • The government has appointed five new members to NITI Aayog: Rajiv Gauba, Prof. K. V. Raju, Prof. Gobardhan Das, Dr. M. Srinivas, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
  • Ashok Lahiri is a former Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) and a member of the 15th Finance Commission.
  • Lahiri previously served as CEA under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is currently a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from West Bengal.
  • Prof. Gobardhan Das, the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, has joined as a member.
  • The Prime Minister heads the NITI Aayog.

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NITI Aayog and UNICEF India sign SOI to improve maternal and child nutrition in aspirational districts and blocks (Start of March) ▼
  • NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to support strategic interventions in aspirational districts and aspirational blocks.
  • The SOI was signed by Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Representative at UNICEF India.
  • UNICEF India will provide technical expertise and channel CSR funds into nutrition-focused initiatives through its platform IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N).
  • The partnership will focus on strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, enhancing nutrition literacy, improving uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building capacity of frontline workers.
  • The agreement aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement and strengthen implementation systems for nutrition and health interventions at the block level.
Nidhi Chhibber takes additional charge as NITI Aayog CEO as BVR Subrahmanyam tenure ends (End of February) ▼
  • Nidhi Chhibber, Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), has been given additional charge as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog.
  • She is a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and previously served as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
  • At NITI Aayog’s DMEO, she has been responsible for monitoring and evaluating flagship government schemes.
  • Chhibber holds a Master’s degree in History and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), and is proficient in both English and Hindi.
  • BVR Subrahmanyam, a 1987-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, completed his three-year term as CEO of NITI Aayog.
  • Subrahmanyam has served as Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Principal Secretary in the Chhattisgarh government, and has also worked in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Appointed Chairperson of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) (End of March) ▼
  • Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti assumed charge as the chairperson of the NCBC in New Delhi on 19 March 2026.
  • The NCBC is a constitutional body established to safeguard the rights, welfare, and development of socially and educationally backward classes.
  • Jyoti belongs to the Nishad community, which is categorised under the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
  • The 59-year-old leader served as a Union Minister in the Government of India for ten years from 2014 to 2024.
  • She was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Fatehpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
  • Her previous political experience includes serving as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Hamirpur Sadar seat in 2012.
  • She has also held the position of National Joint Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
  • Pankaj Chaudhary, the MP from Maharajganj, was appointed as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh.
NITI Aayog launches Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 to saturate 5 KPIs in Aspirational Districts and 6 KPIs in Aspirational Blocks (End of January) ▼
  • NITI Aayog launched the 3-month Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 campaign running from 28 January to 14 April 2026.
  • The campaign targets saturation of 5 Key Performance Indicators in 112 Aspirational Districts and 6 Key Performance Indicators in 513 Aspirational Blocks.
  • Shri B.V.R Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the campaign in the presence of Shri Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme, NITI Aayog.
  • Aspirational Blocks will focus on indicators including percentage of children aged 6 months to 6 years receiving Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS, measurement efficiency of Anganwadi-enrolled children, functional toilets and drinking water in operational Anganwadi Centres, adequate girls' toilet facilities in schools, and percentage of bovine animals vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
  • Aspirational Districts will prioritise indicators such as proportion of live births weighed at birth, Tuberculosis case notification rate, conduct of Village or Urban Health Sanitation & Nutrition Days, functional girls' toilets in schools, and percentage of animals vaccinated.
  • Districts and Blocks will prepare a 3-month Action Plan, track monthly progress, run awareness and behaviour change campaigns, and conduct concurrent monitoring field visits.
  • NITI Aayog will collaborate with relevant Central Ministries, States, and Union Territories to improve planning, implementation, capacity building, and sustainable service delivery.

Nitu Samra Appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport

Key Updates:

  • Nitu Samra, previously the Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida International Airport.
  • The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) rejected the security clearance of the previous CEO, Christoph Schnellmann, as he is not an Indian national.
  • Christoph Schnellmann will join the board of directors as executive vice chairman.
  • The airport is owned by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd, a holding company owned by Zurich airport.
  • The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted the aerodrome license to the airport in March.
  • Zurich airport won the bid to build and operate the airport for 40 years in 2019.
  • The company has invested approximately ₹7,200 crore in the first phase of the project.
  • Noida International Airport is the first instance of a foreign investor owning 100% equity of an Indian airport.

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Srikanth Velamakanni Appointed Chairperson of National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) (End of April) ▼
  • Srikanth Velamakanni, cofounder and group CEO of Fractal, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom).
  • He succeeds Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India, who completes her term as Chairperson in April 2026.
  • Kishor Patil, CEO and Managing Director at KPIT, has been elected as the Vice Chairperson of Nasscom.
  • Srikanth Velamakanni previously served as the Vice Chairperson of Nasscom and as an Executive Council member for over six years.
  • Velamakanni will work with Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar and the Executive Council to steer the industry's agenda.
UB Pravin Rao named Chairperson of Nasscom Foundation (Mid of April) ▼
  • UB Pravin Rao succeeded Rostow Ravanan as Chairperson of Nasscom Foundation.
  • Rao previously served as Vice-Chairperson and Chairman of Nasscom.
  • He was Chief Operating Officer of Infosys from 2014 to 2021.
  • Nasscom Foundation focuses on digital inclusion, employability, women entrepreneurship, and tech-enabled NGO support.
  • The Foundation works with corporates, NGOs, government, and ecosystem partners for scalable social interventions.
Campbell Wilson Resigns as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India (Start of April) ▼
  • Campbell Wilson has announced his resignation as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India.
  • He was appointed to the position in 2022 on a five-year contract that was originally scheduled to conclude in July 2027.
  • Wilson will continue to serve in his current role until a successor is announced and positioned by the Tata Group-owned carrier.
  • N. Chandrasekaran serves as the Chairman of both Air India and the Tata Group.
  • Singapore Airlines (SIA) maintains a 25% stake in the airline alongside the Tata Group.
  • The carrier's projected losses for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 are estimated to reach ₹20,000 crore.
  • Prior to his tenure at Air India, Wilson served as the founding CEO of Scoot, a subsidiary of SIA.
  • The airline has faced significant challenges including the closure of Pakistan's airspace and a Boeing plane crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in 260 fatalities.
Noida International Airport Phase I inaugurated to boost NCR aviation capacity (End of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh on 28 March 2026.
  • The airport is located in Gautam Buddha Nagar district along the Yamuna Expressway and serves as the second international gateway for Delhi-NCR after Indira Gandhi International Airport.
  • Phase I has been built at an investment of around ₹11,200 crore under a public-private partnership model.
  • It is designed to handle 12 million passengers per annum initially, with provision to scale up to 70 million passengers annually in subsequent phases.
  • The airport has a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft and is equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS) and airfield lighting for all-weather, round-the-clock operations.
  • It includes an integrated cargo terminal designed to handle over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of cargo annually in the first phase, expandable to around 18 lakh metric tonnes.
  • A 40-acre maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility is part of the project.

S. Nambi Narayanan and others to receive honorary doctorate from Bagalkot University

Key Updates:

  • Bagalkot University will confer honorary doctorate (honoris causa) degrees on three individuals.
  • The recipients are space scientist S. Nambi Narayanan, Sri Gurumahanth Swami of Chittaragi Shri Vijaya Mahantesha Samsthana Math, Ilkal, and tech-entrepreneur and philanthropist Mahesh Bellad.
  • The degrees will be presented during the first convocation of Bagalkot University.
  • The ceremony will be held at Darbar Hall on the BLDE Association campus in Jamkhandi, Bagalkot district.

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Yashwant Gupta conferred with MP Birla Memorial Award (Mid of March) ▼
  • The MP Birla Planetarium (MPBP) conferred the MP Birla Memorial Award on Yashwant Gupta, the director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
  • The biennial award was instituted in 1993 and was last presented to Prof Thanu Padmanabhan in 2019.
  • The award ceremony resumed after a six-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and renovation work at the planetarium.
  • Notable past recipients of the award include Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, Govind Swarup, K Kasturirangan, and APJ Abdul Kalam.
  • The award was not presented in 2015 and 2017 as the MPBP was undergoing renovation during those years.
Jharkhand Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kalpana Soren Receives Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award (End of March) ▼
  • Kalpana Soren was honoured by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) at the WE Annual Women Summit and Felicitation 2026.
  • The award ceremony was held in New Delhi and hosted by the women empowerment vertical of the BRICS CCI.
  • The recognition was conferred for her contributions towards advancing women-led initiatives and community development.
  • The summit was attended by several dignitaries, policymakers, and international representatives.
Shashi Tharoor received honorary Doctor of Letters from St Xavier's University. (End of February) ▼
  • Shashi Tharoor was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by St Xavier's University at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
  • This was Tharoor's first honorary doctorate in India.
  • Tharoor had earlier served as a convocation speaker at the university.
  • He highlighted the role of women in academics and urged students to embrace civic responsibility.
Nita Ambani conferred KISS Humanitarian Award 2025 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, received the KISS Humanitarian Award 2025 at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) campus in Bhubaneswar.
  • The award was presented by Nobel Laureate Mohan Munasinghe in the presence of Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS.
  • The honour recognises Reliance Foundation’s contributions to social development in education, healthcare, rural transformation, women’s empowerment and sports.
  • The KISS Humanitarian Award, instituted in 2008, is the highest honour of KISS and carries a citation and a gold-plated trophy.

Rajneesh Karnatak, Debadatta Chand and Ashutosh Choudhary extended as Bank Executives

[Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Indian Bank]

Key Updates:

  • Rajneesh Karnatak, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of India (BoI), has had his tenure extended for three years effective April 29, 2026.
  • Karnatak was appointed as MD and CEO of BoI in 2023 for a term of three years.
  • Debadatta Chand, MD and CEO of Bank of Baroda (BoB), has had his tenure extended for three years effective July 1, 2026.
  • The extension for Chand was approved by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • Ashutosh Choudhary has had his term as Executive Director of Indian Bank extended for another three years.
  • The term of Ashwani Kumar, MD and CEO of UCO Bank, ends on June 1, 2026.

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Rajneesh Karnatak, Debadatta Chand and Ashutosh Choudhury granted tenure extensions as Bank CEOs and Executive Director (End of April) ▼
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the tenure extensions via an official order dated April 22.
  • Rajneesh Karnatak received a three-year extension as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of India (BoI) beyond August 28, 2026.
  • Debadatta Chand received a three-year extension as MD and CEO of Bank of Baroda (BoB) beyond June 30, 2026.
  • Ashutosh Choudhury received a three-year extension as Executive Director at Indian Bank beyond May 2, 2026.
  • The approvals were cleared following proposals from the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance.
Sanjay Agarwal reappointed as MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Sanjay Agarwal’s reappointment as MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank for three years from 19 April 2026.
  • AU Small Finance Bank’s board had approved his reappointment on 17 October 2025 and shareholders on 26 December 2025.
  • Agarwal first became MD of AU Financiers on 14 February 2008 and MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank on 19 April 2017.
  • This will be his third consecutive RBI-approved term after the bank’s conversion to a small finance bank.
M Anitha (IRS) appointed Director in Department of Defence. (Start of February) ▼
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of M Anitha, IRS (Income Tax: 2007), as Director in the Department of Defence under the Central Staffing Scheme.
  • The Civil Services Board (CSB) recommended her lateral shift from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), where she is currently Director.
  • Her tenure in the Department of Defence will last up to 26 September 2026, the balance period of her five-year deputation at the Director level, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
  • The appointment takes effect from the date she assumes charge of the post.
Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi reappointed as Drugs Controller (India) at Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) (Start of March) ▼
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his reappointment on a contractual basis for one year from 1 March 2026.
  • The proposal for re-employment was moved by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
  • He heads the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) which regulates drug quality, approves new drugs and oversees clinical trials.
  • Dr Raghuvanshi earlier served as secretary-cum-scientific director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) from 16 February 2021.

Dean Tavoularis Passes Away as Production Designer

Key Updates:

  • Production designer Dean Tavoularis passed away at the age of 93 in a Paris hospital.
  • He won an Academy Award in the Best Art Direction-Set Decoration category for 'The Godfather Part II'.
  • He worked as an art director on the film Bonnie and Clyde (1967).
  • His notable works include the 'Godfather' films, 'Apocalypse Now', and 'One From the Heart'.
  • He received Academy Award nominations for 'Apocalypse Now', 'Tucker: The Man and His Dream', and 'The Godfather Part III'.
  • He began his career in the animation department and as a storyboard artist at Disney Studios.

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