S&P Global Ratings (S&P) raises India GDP growth forecast to 7.1% for FY27
[Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India]
Key Updates:
- S&P Global Ratings (S&P) revised India’s GDP growth forecast upward by 40 basis points to 7.1% for FY27.
- India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the October–December quarter.
- S&P’s FY26 projection for India stands at 7.6%.
- S&P assumes Brent crude at $80 per barrel in 2026, up from about $65 per barrel at end-2025.
- In a downside scenario, S&P warns crude could spike to $200 per barrel if Middle East conflict escalates.
- A moderate stress scenario of $130 per barrel could shave 50–70 basis points off Asia-Pacific growth.
- S&P cites India’s technology services, data centre infrastructure, and AI-linked investments as key growth drivers.
Similar Coverage
- India’s Q3 FY26 GDP growth slowed to 7.8% from the preceding quarter’s 8.4%.
- The new GDP series uses 2022-23 as its base year, replacing the earlier 2011-12 series.
- MoSPI’s second advance estimate pegs FY26 GDP growth at 7.6%, up from the first advance estimate of 7.4%.
- Manufacturing posted double-digit growth in FY2023-24 and FY2025-26.
- The ‘Trade, Repair, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting and Storage’ segment grew 10.1% in FY2025-26.
- Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) each rose over 7% in FY2025-26.
- The series adopts double deflation for agriculture and manufacturing to improve real value-added measurement.
- Proportional Denton Benchmarking replaces the pro-rata method for quarterly national accounts to align quarterly and annual estimates.
- India’s GDP growth slowed to 7.8% in Q3 FY26 from 8.4% in Q2 FY26 but exceeded ET poll estimate of 7.4%.
- GDP growth for FY26 has been revised upwards to 7.6% from the earlier first advance estimate of 7.4%.
- The new GDP series uses 2022-23 as the base year, replacing the previous 2011-12 series.
- Manufacturing sector recorded double-digit growth in FY2023-24 and FY2025-26.
- The ‘Trade, Repair, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting and Storage’ segment grew by 10.1% in FY2025-26.
- Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) both grew by more than 7% in FY2025-26.
- The GDP series now incorporates double deflation for agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
- The Proportional Denton Benchmarking method has been adopted for aligning quarterly and annual GDP estimates.
- ICRA forecasts India’s YoY GDP growth at 7.2% in Q3 FY2025-26, down from 8.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
- Services GVA growth eased to 7.8% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 9.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
- Agriculture GVA growth slowed to 3.0% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 3.5% in Q2 FY2025-26.
- Industrial sector GVA hit a six-quarter high of 8.3% in Q3 FY2025-26 versus 7.7% in Q2 FY2025-26.
- Government of India’s gross capital expenditure contracted 23.4% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 after 40.0% YoY growth in H1 FY2025-26.
- GoI’s gross capex fell to Rs. 2.1 trillion in Q3 FY2025-26 from Rs. 3.1 trillion in Q2 FY2025-26.
- Combined Central and state non-interest revenue expenditure rose marginally by 0.3% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 against a 0.6% decline in Q2 FY2025-26.
- India’s services exports growth slowed to a seven-quarter low of 7.5% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 at USD 111.2 billion.
- India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) forecasts real GDP growth of 6.9% in FY27.
- Ind-Ra expects retail inflation to average 3.8% in FY27.
- Union government debt as a percentage of GDP is projected to decline to 55.5% in FY27 from an estimated 56.3% in FY26.
- Ind-Ra anticipates the Indian Rupee to average 92.26 against the US dollar in FY27, compared with 88.64 in FY26.
- Ind-Ra estimates total budget size to rise to Rs 52 lakh crore in FY27 from the budgeted Rs 50 lakh crore in FY26.
- Tax revenue is expected to fall short by Rs 2 lakh crore in FY26, to be offset through higher non-tax revenue and slightly lower capex.
- Fiscal deficit for FY26 is retained at the budgeted 4.4% of GDP, amounting to Rs 15.69 lakh crore in absolute terms.
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Projects India GDP Growth at 7.6% for FY26
[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]
Key Updates:
- The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) projected India’s economy to expand by 7.6% in the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26.
- The OECD expects India's growth to moderate to 6.1% in FY 2026-27 and reach 6.4% in FY 2027-28.
- Inflation in India is projected to rise from 2% in FY 2025-26 to 5.1% in FY 2026-27, then ease to 4.1% in FY 2027-28.
- The OECD indicated that India might need to raise policy rates temporarily in the second quarter of 2026 to manage inflationary pressures.
- Global economic growth is forecast to soften to 2.9% in 2026 and improve slightly to 3% in 2027.
- The report highlighted that United States (US) bilateral tariff rates for several emerging economies, including India, have declined following a US Supreme Court ruling against levies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
- The OECD warned that disruption of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and damage to energy infrastructure have triggered a surge in energy prices and affected the global supply of commodities.
- Gas rationing and the fading of fiscal support were identified as factors that could contribute to the easing of India's growth from the 7.6% projected for FY 2025-26.
Similar Coverage
- Moody's (Moody's) forecasts India's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 6.4% in Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27).
- India is expected to record the fastest growth pace among the Group of Twenty (G-20) economies according to the ratings agency.
- The Economic Survey 2026 projects India's real GDP expansion to range between 6.8% and 7.2% for FY27.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised its growth projections for FY27 to 6.9% for the first quarter and 7.0% for the second quarter.
- Structural reforms including the rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and income tax reductions are expected to boost domestic consumption.
- A trade agreement reached between India and the United States (US) in February 2026 is anticipated to improve conditions for export-linked Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s 2025 growth projection by 0.7 percentage point to 7.3% from 6.6% in October 2025.
- IMF lifted India’s 2026 growth estimate to 6.4% from 6.2%.
- World Bank pegs India’s FY2026 growth at 7.2%, an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points.
- Government estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% last FY.
- IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
- IMF forecasts US growth at 2.4% in 2026, Euro area at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, China at 4.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
- Global headline inflation seen easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027 from 4.1% in 2025.
- MoSPI’s First Advance Estimates place FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4%, up from 6.5% in FY25.
- Nominal GDP growth for FY26 is estimated at 8.0%.
- Real gross value added (GVA) is projected to rise 7.3% in FY26, with the services sector identified as the key growth engine.
- Private consumption growth eased to 7% YoY in FY25 versus 7.2% in the previous fiscal.
- Manufacturing GVA growth is estimated at 7% and Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services plus Public Administration, Defence & Other Services are estimated to grow 9.9% at constant prices in FY26.
- Agriculture and allied sector GVA growth is pegged at 3.1% while Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services GVA growth is moderate at 2.1% in FY26.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had forecasted FY26 GDP growth at 7.3% in its December MPC meeting.
- CRISIL revised its FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7% after Q2 FY26 data showed 8.2% growth, the fastest in six quarters.
- India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) pegs FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% and nominal GDP growth at 9%.
- Bank of Baroda projects FY26 GDP growth in the 7.4%-7.6% range, noting risks from decelerating exports to the US.
- SBI Capital Markets expects FY26 real GDP growth to exceed 7% and nominal GDP growth at around 8.5% y/y.
- Acuité Ratings & Research revised FY26 GDP growth estimate to 7.2% from 6.6% after Q2 data.
- The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for FY26 will be released on 27 February 2026 and will incorporate a base revision to 2022-23.
- The Government of India (GoI) projects the real GDP growth at 7.4% for fiscal year 2025–26, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expectation of 7.3%.
- Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8% for the current fiscal year, compared to 9.7% recorded in the previous year.
- India’s GDP growth accelerated to a six-quarter high of 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, following a 7.8% expansion in the April–June quarter.
- Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to expand by 7.3% in FY26, an increase from 6.4% in FY25.
- Nominal GVA is projected to grow at 7.7% in the current fiscal, down from the 9.3% growth recorded in the previous financial year.
- Government spending is estimated to rise by 5.2% in fiscal 2025-26, compared to a 2.3% increase in the previous year.
- Manufacturing and construction sectors are both estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices in FY 2025-26.
- The agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow by 3.1% during FY26, down from the 4.6% growth witnessed in FY24.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowers India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.1%
[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]
Key Updates:
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reduced India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.1% from 6.2%.
- India’s FY28 growth projection remains unchanged at 6.4%.
- India’s GDP is officially estimated to grow 7.6% in FY26.
- India will remain the fastest-growing economy ahead of China (4.4%), United States (2%), Japan (0.9%), and United Kingdom (0.7%).
- Global growth outlook for 2026 stays at 2.9%; 2027 revised down to 3% from 3.1%.
- OECD expects India’s inflation to rise sharply to 5.1% in FY27 from 2% in FY26.
- Retail inflation in India rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February from 2.74% in January.
- OECD projects India to temporarily raise policy rates in Q2 2026.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate steady at 5.25% in February.
Similar Coverage
- Goldman Sachs lowered India’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.9% from its pre-Gulf conflict estimate of 7%.
- The revision follows the Gulf conflict and higher Brent crude price projections of $105 per barrel in March and $115 in April.
- India’s inflation is forecast to rise to 4.6% in 2026, prompting Goldman Sachs to expect a 50-basis point hike in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy rate.
- Goldman Sachs projects India’s current account deficit to widen to 2% of GDP in 2026 from 1.3% in October-December 2025.
- Among major economies, India faces the largest growth forecast cut, compared with China (4.7% from 4.8%), South Korea (1.9% from 2%), and Hong Kong (1.8% from 2.6%).
- Moody's (Moody's) forecasts India's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 6.4% in Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27).
- India is expected to record the fastest growth pace among the Group of Twenty (G-20) economies according to the ratings agency.
- The Economic Survey 2026 projects India's real GDP expansion to range between 6.8% and 7.2% for FY27.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised its growth projections for FY27 to 6.9% for the first quarter and 7.0% for the second quarter.
- Structural reforms including the rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and income tax reductions are expected to boost domestic consumption.
- A trade agreement reached between India and the United States (US) in February 2026 is anticipated to improve conditions for export-linked Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, an increase from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
- India’s growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27, assuming 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.
- The WB projects India’s growth to edge up to 6.6% in FY28, supported by resilient services activity, a recovery in exports, and a pickup in investment.
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth for FY26 at 7.4% on January 7.
- Growth for South Asia is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026, reflecting the impact of higher US tariffs on India’s exports.
- Global economic growth is expected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
- The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% in 2026, while China’s economic growth is projected to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s 2025 growth projection by 0.7 percentage point to 7.3% from 6.6% in October 2025.
- IMF lifted India’s 2026 growth estimate to 6.4% from 6.2%.
- World Bank pegs India’s FY2026 growth at 7.2%, an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points.
- Government estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% last FY.
- IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
- IMF forecasts US growth at 2.4% in 2026, Euro area at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, China at 4.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
- Global headline inflation seen easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027 from 4.1% in 2025.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signs MoU with Blue Star Limited to boost manufacturing and startup innovation.
[Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Blue Star]
Key Updates:
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Blue Star Limited on 24 March 2026.
- The partnership targets startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs in HVAC technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain innovation.
- Startups will gain access to industry mentorship, R&D facilities, testing infrastructure, and pilot opportunities.
- The initiative supports proof-of-concept development and integration into existing industry value chains.
- DPIIT and Blue Star will organise innovation challenges and hackathons under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge focused on manufacturing, HVAC, and digital technologies.
- The MoU was signed by T. L. K. Singh, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, and B Thiagarajan, Managing Director, Blue Star Limited.
Similar Coverage
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Voltas Limited to strengthen industry-startup collaboration in cooling and smart-appliance technologies.
- The collaboration will engage startups working on HVAC technologies, advanced control systems and power electronics, AI/ML-based diagnostics, IoT-enabled smart appliances, and digitalisation in manufacturing and service operations.
- Startup India and Voltas will explore organising innovation challenges and hackathons through platforms such as the Bharat Start-up Grand Challenge focused on industry-driven problem statements.
- Selected startups may receive mentorship, technical guidance, access to testing infrastructure, market linkage opportunities, industry validation, product development support, and participate in structured Proof-of-Concept programmes with Voltas engineering teams.
- Startups can conduct field trials through Voltas’s service network to test, improve and potentially achieve commercial integration of new technologies.
- Key innovation areas include energy-efficient cooling systems, air-quality monitoring and filtration technologies, advanced inverter control systems, predictive maintenance solutions, refrigerant safety technologies, and digital tools for installation and servicing.
- The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, and Mr. Mukundan Menon, Managing Director of Voltas Limited, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
- WaveX, the startup accelerator under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), signed an MoU with FITT, IIT Delhi to scale media-tech incubation nationwide.
- FITT will provide strategic guidance for incubator setup, mentorship, IP support, and access to IITs and innovation hubs.
- WaveX will offer financial support, policy backing, and national visibility to startups in media, entertainment, broadcasting, and communication technologies.
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notified revised startup recognition criteria on 5 February 2026.
- General startup turnover limit raised from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore.
- New 'Deep Tech Startup' sub-category introduced with age limit extended to 20 years and turnover cap of ₹300 crore.
- Multi-State Cooperative Societies registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 and cooperative societies under State/UT Acts now eligible for startup recognition.
- Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has removed the mandatory three-year viability criteria for deep-tech startups to access up to Rs 1 crore under the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program (IRDPP).
- Startups must still meet evaluation standards linked to technological maturity.
- The change is intended to accelerate scaling of deep-tech startups and provide early momentum to innovators.
Noida International Airport Phase I inaugurated to boost NCR aviation capacity
[Noida International Airport]
Key Updates:
- 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.
Similar Coverage
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the revised total capital cost of ₹3,630.77 crore for greenfield connectivity to Jewar international airport.
- The 31.42 km project corridor will provide direct high-speed connectivity from South Delhi, Faridabad and Gurugram to the airport in Uttar Pradesh.
- About 11 km of the project will be developed as an elevated highway between DND-Ballabhgarh Bypass and Jewar International Airport at an additional cost of ₹689.24 crore.
- The Government of Haryana has agreed to bear ₹450 crore of the elevated corridor cost.
- The corridor intersects the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the Yamuna Expressway, and the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) to enable multimodal transport convergence.
- The airport has received an aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and is expected to start operations soon.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Adampur Airport and renamed it after Sri Sant Guru Ravidas Ji on the 649th birth anniversary of the saint.
- PM Modi also inaugurated the new terminal building at Halwara Airport in Ludhiana district, Punjab.
- Halwara Airport hosts a strategic Indian Air Force station and the new civil enclave features a longer runway capable of accommodating A320-type aircraft.
- The Halwara terminal incorporates green features including LED lighting, insulated roofing, rainwater harvesting systems, sewage and water treatment plants, and use of recycled water for landscaping.
- The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved the Dagadarthi greenfield airport project in Nellore district on Jan 10, 2026, to strengthen the state’s multimodal logistics and industrial network.
- The project has already received in-principle clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for development under a long-term concession framework.
- Planned in multiple phases, the airport will be developed over 1,332.80 acres to support manufacturing, exports, agri-logistics, and services-led growth.
- Phase I is designed to handle 1.4 million passengers per annum, with capacity scalable to 15 million passengers annually in the long term.
- The master plan includes provision for a future cargo facility to support industrial output and port-led trade involving Krishnapatnam and Ramayapatnam ports.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) received the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Award for Asia-Pacific's Best Airport for departures in the over 40-million-passenger category.
- The award was presented by Airports Council International (ACI) and is based on passenger feedback collected under ACI's globally benchmarked ASQ programme.
- CSMIA is the world's busiest single-runway airport in terms of annual passenger traffic.
- Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) is a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) and Airports Authority of India (AAI), with AAHL holding a 74% stake.
- Recent passenger facilitation measures at CSMIA include hybrid self-baggage-drop units, expanded DigiYatra biometric e-gates, self-check-in kiosks, and the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) for international passengers.
- Terminal 2 houses the 3.2-kilometre Artbeat of New India museum corridor displaying over 5,500 artefacts and more than 100 installations.
Noida International Airport Phase I inaugurated by PM Modi
[Noida International Airport]
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh on 28 March 2026.
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted the Aerodrome License to Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) under the Public Use category for all-weather operations.
- Phase 1 developed at an investment of around ₹11,200 crore by YIAPL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India.
- Concession period commenced on 1 October 2021 for 40 years.
- Airport designed for initial passenger handling capacity of 12 million passengers per annum, scalable up to 70 million passengers per annum.
- Airport features a 3,900-metre runway, Instrument Landing System (ILS), and advanced airfield lighting for all-weather, round-the-clock operations.
- Airport aims to operate as a net-zero emissions facility with energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible practices.
Similar Coverage
- The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to declare Madurai airport as an international airport to boost global connectivity.
- Madurai will become the third international airport in Tamil Nadu once the status change is implemented.
- Union Information and Broadcasting Minister (MIB) Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision to support the region's industrial clusters and its role as an educational and healthcare hub.
- The upgrade is expected to enhance connectivity to pilgrimage sites including Meenakshi Amman temple, Koodal Azhagar temple, Thirupparankundram Murugan temple, Palamudhircholai Murugan temple, and Rameswaram.
- The policy aims to attract international pilgrims and businesses while supporting trade and economic activity in the surrounding areas.
- The MIB stated that several airlines have shown interest in expanding international operations from the airport.
- Madurai airport is among the oldest airports in Tamil Nadu and currently handles domestic flights.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the revised total capital cost of ₹3,630.77 crore for greenfield connectivity to Jewar international airport.
- The 31.42 km project corridor will provide direct high-speed connectivity from South Delhi, Faridabad and Gurugram to the airport in Uttar Pradesh.
- About 11 km of the project will be developed as an elevated highway between DND-Ballabhgarh Bypass and Jewar International Airport at an additional cost of ₹689.24 crore.
- The Government of Haryana has agreed to bear ₹450 crore of the elevated corridor cost.
- The corridor intersects the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the Yamuna Expressway, and the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) to enable multimodal transport convergence.
- The airport has received an aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and is expected to start operations soon.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) of the northeast at Moran on National Highway-37 in Dibrugarh district, Assam.
- The Rs 100-crore ELF is a 4.2-km reinforced stretch on the Moran Bypass and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
- The facility will serve as a strategic and multi-functional runway for Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets and transport aircraft.
- It is designed for both civil and military use and will act as an alternative to Dibrugarh airport during emergencies.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Air Chief Marshal A P Singh attended the event.
- The Bihar state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar, approved the construction of an international airport at Sonepur in Saran district.
- The proposed airport will feature a 4,200-metre runway designed to handle wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
- The project is spread over 4,228 acres and is targeted for completion by the year 2030.
- The Bihar government has allocated ₹1,302 crore for the land acquisition process for the airport, which will be developed in the area between Hajipur and Dumaria.
- The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted site clearance and in-principle approval for the project, which was also mentioned in the Union Budget.
- The state cabinet sanctioned ₹70 crore for anti-erosion work along an embankment between Ismailpur and Bindtoli in Bhagalpur district.
- Bihar currently has operational airports at Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, as well as in Gaya, Darbhanga, and Purnia.
- A total of 35 proposals from various departments were approved during the cabinet meeting.
Indian Railways approves ₹647.58 crore connectivity projects in Gujarat and Bihar
[Ministry of Railways, Gujarat, Bihar]
Key Updates:
- Indian Railways sanctioned two projects worth ₹647.58 crore on 24 March 2026 to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
- The rail-over-rail flyover at Kosamba, Gujarat, spans 9.20 km and costs ₹344.38 crore to connect the Kosamba–Umrapada gauge conversion section with the Mumbai–Vadodara main line.
- The 13.38 km bypass line at Bhagalpur, Bihar, costs ₹303.20 crore and will link Gonudham Halt on the Barahat–Bhagalpur section with Sabour on the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj section.
- The Barahat–Bhagalpur section currently operates at over 125 per cent capacity utilisation, causing congestion and requiring engine reversal at Bhagalpur junction.
Similar Coverage
- The Uttar Pradesh government signed a Rs 200-crore MoU with Germany-based RAILONE GmbH during Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the company’s manufacturing plant in Germany.
- The MoU aims to provide Uttar Pradesh with access to advanced technology, high-quality standards and international expertise in rail infrastructure.
- The initiative targets strengthening connectivity, building a robust transport network and accelerating industrial development in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved highway projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana.
- In Maharashtra, the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar stretch of National Highway-160A will be rehabilitated and upgraded at a cost of Rs 3,320.38 crore.
- The 154.635-km NH-160A project in Maharashtra will be executed under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
- In Gujarat, the CCEA approved four-laning of the 107.67-km Dhamasiya-Bitada/Movi and Nasarpore-Malotha sections of National Highway-56 at a cost of Rs 4,583.64 crore.
- The NH-56 four-laning project in Gujarat is designed for 100 km per hour speed and is expected to cut travel time by 40 per cent.
- In Telangana, the CCEA cleared widening of the 80.01-km Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar stretch of National Highway-167 at a cost of Rs 3,175.08 crore.
- The NH-167 widening project in Telangana will be executed under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) through the National Highways (Original) [NH(O)] scheme.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two railway multitracking projects worth ₹4,474 crore.
- The projects will add fourth lines on the Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur routes, adding about 192 km across West Bengal and Jharkhand.
- Proposed by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), the works are scheduled for completion by 2030–31 under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
- The expansion will benefit around 5,652 villages with a combined population of nearly 1.47 crore people.
- Freight movement is expected to rise by about 31 million tonnes annually, saving an estimated six crore litres of oil and cutting carbon emissions by nearly 28 crore kg.
- Tourist spots gaining better rail access include Bolpur-Shantiniketan, Nandikeshwari Temple, Tarapith, Patachitra Gram, Dhadika Forest, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Rameshwar Kund.
- The Union Cabinet approved infrastructure and policy proposals worth Rs 12,236 crore, covering railways, aviation, urban transport, power sector reforms and agriculture.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared three railway projects—Gondia-Jabalpur doubling, Punarakh-Kiul third and fourth line, and Gamharia-Chandil third and fourth line—costing Rs 9,072 crore.
- These railway projects span Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, adding 307 km to the network and enhancing connectivity to 5,407 villages with a population of nearly 98 lakh.
- The railway capacity augmentation is expected to handle 52 million tonnes of additional freight traffic per annum, save 6 crore litres of oil and cut CO2 emissions by 30 crore kg.
- CCEA approved a new civil enclave at Srinagar International Airport at a cost of Rs 1,677 crore, featuring a 71,500 square metre terminal with peak-hour capacity of 2,900 passengers and annual capacity of 10 million passengers.
- The Srinagar airport project includes a 1,000-car multi-level car park, apron for 15 aircraft and targets a 5-star GRIHA rating.
- The Cabinet cleared a 3.33-km Ahmedabad Metro extension from GIFT City to Shahpur at Rs 1,067.35 crore with three elevated stations to be implemented by Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
- The Ahmedabad Metro extension is projected to serve over 23,700 passengers daily by 2029 and nearly 58,000 by 2041.
- Power sector reforms enhanced delegation to Powergrid, raising per-project equity investment limit for subsidiaries from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 7,500 crore to boost participation in high-value tariff-based competitive bidding projects.
- The Cabinet approved renaming Kerala to 'Keralam' through the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to be referred by the President to the Kerala Legislative Assembly under Article 3 of the Constitution.
- The Cabinet fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for raw jute (TD-3 grade) at Rs 5,925 per quintal for 2026-27, an increase of Rs 275 per quintal over the previous year.
World Trade Organization (WTO) to hold 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon from March 26 to 29, 2026
[World Trade Organization]
Key Updates:
- The World Trade Organization (WTO) will convene its 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- The Ministerial Conference (MC) is the highest decision-making body of the WTO and generally meets once every two years to decide on WTO law.
- A total of 166 WTO member countries are expected to participate in the conference to deliberate on global trade rules.
- Key agenda items include the potential incorporation of plurilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development and the Agreement on Electronic Commerce, into the WTO rulebook.
- The conference will address the e-commerce moratorium, an agreement not to impose tariffs on electronic transmissions, which is scheduled to expire on March 31.
- Members will discuss Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) for developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to provide special rights based on economic standing.
- The United States (U.S.) has proposed prohibiting larger economies, including India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia, from accessing SDT special rights.
- The conference aims to address the paralysis of the WTO dispute settlement system caused by the lack of appointments to the Appellate Body.
- Since its establishment in 1995, the WTO has successfully created only two new major agreements: the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
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- The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), in collaboration with the Centre for International Trade Law, National Law University Odisha (NLUO), organised a two-day International Conference on the theme 'Role of International Trade in Global Energy Transition' at the National Law University Odisha campus in Cuttack, under the aegis of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Chairs Programme.
- Justice Biraja Prasanna, Odisha High Court, Prasanna Satapathy, attended as the Chief Guest, and Professor N.L. Mitra as the Guest of Honour.
- Ambassador Ujal Singh Bhatia, Former Chairperson, World Trade Organization Appellate Body, was present at the event.
- Discussions focused on the role of the multilateral trading system at the intersection of international trade and global energy transition.
- India signed terms of reference with the Philippines for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and with the Maldives for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- India’s exports to the Philippines rose 3.11 per cent to USD 2.16 billion in 2024-25, while imports dipped 17.8 per cent to USD 1.17 billion.
- India’s exports to the Maldives dipped 37.11 per cent to USD 56.88 million in 2024-25, while imports rose 37.14 per cent to USD 118.82 million.
- The AITIGA Joint Committee has met 11 times; the next review meeting is scheduled for 30-31 March 2026.
- India-Korea CEPA review began in 2016 and has completed 11 negotiation rounds, the latest in Seoul in July 2024.
- India has ongoing trade negotiations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Israel.
- India signed FTAs with the UK and Oman last year and announced completion of negotiations with the EU and New Zealand.
- World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts global merchandise trade growth to slow to 1.9% in 2026 from 4.6% in 2025.
- If crude oil and liquefied natural gas prices remain high throughout 2026 due to the Middle East conflict, global trade in goods could slow further to 1.4%.
- A prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran would choke one-third of fertilizer urea imports, hitting major producers like India, Thailand, Brazil.
- Trade in AI-enabling goods accounted for 42% of global trade growth in 2025 and increased by 21.9% year-on-year to $4.18 trillion.
- Asia will lead merchandise import growth in 2026 with imports up 3.3% and exports up 3.5%, followed by Africa with 3.2% imports and 1.2% exports.
- Around 72% of world trade is being conducted on a Most-Favoured-Nation basis, down from about 80% at the start of last year.
- India submitted a draft ministerial declaration asking developed members to facilitate transfer of advanced environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to developing and least-developed countries (LDCs).
- The declaration cites export controls on inputs such as semiconductor chips and rare earth minerals and rigid intellectual-property regimes as persistent barriers to technology access.
- India requested developed countries to share regional and sector-specific technology needs, experiences, challenges and best practices to cut high access costs and domestic capacity constraints.
- New Delhi proposed a detailed review of technology-transfer provisions in WTO agreements covering TRIPS, agriculture, technical barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
- The text seeks operationalisation of existing TRIPS flexibilities for technology transfer and a time-bound roadmap to be adopted at the forthcoming WTO ministerial meeting later this month.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signs ₹16,420 crore loan deals for four projects in India
[Japan International Cooperation Agency]
Key Updates:
- 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.
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- Axis Bank has launched Rooftop Solar Finance, a tailored financing solution to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in transitioning to solar energy.
- Under this programme, MSMEs can avail collateral-free loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore.
- The financing scheme offers flexible repayment tenures ranging from 4 to 7 years.
- The product is available nationwide through the branch network of Axis Bank.
- Axis Bank has partnered with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and a Technology Partner to provide transparency regarding system costs and projected savings.
- Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) issued a five-year guarantee of $197.67 million to Citibank N.A. for its loan to State Bank of India (SBI).
- The guarantee supports refinancing of a $500 million World Bank facility for grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic systems for commercial and industrial users across India.
- SBI launched the programme in 2016 with World Bank financing and technical assistance and has achieved 1,004 MW of rooftop solar installations.
- Citibank acted as sole lender and coordinator, building on a 2024 collaboration.
- The refinancing is expected to reduce borrowing costs and diversify funding sources while shifting loan exposure to commercial lenders.
- SBI must allocate 7.5% of domestic advances to green financing as India requires $160 billion to $300 billion annually to reach net zero by 2070.
- The World Bank Group (WBG) and India announced a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) envisaging USD 8-10 billion in annual financing over the next five years.
- The CPF is aligned with India's Viksit Bharat vision to become a developed economy by 2047 and was discussed between Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and WBG President Ajay Banga.
- The partnership prioritises private sector-led job creation to accommodate the approximately 12 million young people entering India's labour market each year.
- The strategy focuses on five key sectors for job creation: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, health care, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
- The framework targets four strategic outcomes: boosting rural prosperity, supporting urban transformation, investing in energy security and core infrastructure, and strengthening resilience.
- India is the largest client of the WBG, with International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) commitments of USD 20 billion across 79 projects.
- The International Finance Corporation (IFC) holds commitments of USD 16.72 billion across 174 projects in India.
- The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has provided USD 618 million in guarantees for Indian projects.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiates $30 million plan to rescue Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory
[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]
Key Updates:
- 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.
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- GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based private space technology company, will deploy NVIDIA Jetson Orin on its upcoming satellite mission, Mission Drishti.
- Mission Drishti will feature the world’s first SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, integrating Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on a single satellite platform.
- The satellite is designed to accelerate processing and interpretation of Earth observation data in space and quickly deliver insights to customers.
- Insights from Mission Drishti are expected to benefit sectors including agriculture, disaster management, and natural resource management.
- The mission will explore the feasibility of Orbital Data Centres (ODC), where multiple satellites operate as interconnected compute nodes.
- GalaxEye plans to scale Mission Drishti to a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030.
- NASA’s Van Allen Probe A, launched in August 2012, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at 6:37 a.m. ET on Wednesday over the eastern Pacific Ocean region confirmed by the U.S. Space Force.
- The probe and its twin Van Allen Probe B were designed to explore Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts and lasted nearly seven years instead of the planned two-year mission.
- Mission ended in 2019 when the probes ran out of fuel and could no longer orient toward the sun.
- Probe A’s re-entry was accelerated by the current active solar cycle increasing atmospheric drag, advancing the expected 2034 re-entry date.
- Probe B is not expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere until the 2030s.
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three research institutes to enhance disaster management policy research and risk reduction.
- The collaboration involves the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR).
- The partnership establishes a collaborative framework for academic programmes, capacity building, and effective policy communication to bridge the gap between scientific and policy communities.
- CSIR-NIScPR is tasked with spearheading academic programmes and policy research to ensure effective public engagement.
- The NDMA, AcSIR, and CSIR-NIScPR have launched a PhD programme in disaster management to nurture future experts in the field.
- The initiative aims to develop research-based solutions for disaster resilience in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
- A study led by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Imperial College London (ICL) shows seismometers can trace re-entering space debris by detecting sonic-boom shock waves.
- More than 120 seismic stations across California and Nevada recorded vibrations from the 1.5-metric-ton Shenzhou 15 orbital module re-entry on 2 April 2024.
- Analysis revealed descent speeds between Mach 25 and Mach 30, altitudes of 80–150 km, and a shallow one-degree entry angle.
- Seismic data indicated a cascading break-up lasting about two seconds, increasing chances that dense fragments reach Earth’s surface.
- The technique, published in the journal Science, improves emergency response by locating debris within minutes rather than weeks.
IOC bans transgender women from Olympic women’s events starting 2028 Los Angeles Games
[International Olympic Committee]
Key Updates:
- International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the ban on 27 March 2026.
- Eligibility for women’s category will be decided by SRY gene screening; athletes testing negative for the SRY gene can compete.
- Exceptions may apply for athletes with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or certain DSD conditions.
- Policy replaces all previous IOC frameworks and applies only to Olympic-level competitions, not grassroots sport.
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- Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) Virendra Kumar introduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Parliament on 13 March.
- The Bill proposes to remove the right to gender self-identification established by the Supreme Court (SC) in the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India (2014) case.
- It mandates the formation of a medical board headed by a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or a Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) to recommend the issuance of identity certificates to the District Magistrate (DM).
- The definition of a transgender person is narrowed to include those with socio-cultural identities such as kinner, hijra, aravani, jogta, and eunuch, or persons with specific congenital biological variations.
- The Bill introduces a new category for individuals or children compelled to assume a transgender identity through force, deceit, mutilation, or surgical procedures.
- State and Union Territory (UT) representatives on the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) must now hold a minimum rank of Director in their respective departments.
- Kidnapping an adult to force a transgender identity carries a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹2 lakh, while the same offence against a child attracts life imprisonment and a ₹5 lakh fine.
- Forcing an adult into begging or bonded labour as a transgender person attracts 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and a ₹1 lakh fine, increasing to 10 to 14 years and a ₹3 lakh fine for offences against children.
- According to the National Portal for Transgender Persons, a total of 32,424 transgender identity cards have been issued under the existing 2019 Act.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) executive committee postponed a decision on barring government officials from major sporting events if their countries withhold dues, pushing the potential conflict with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials until after the 2026 World Cup.
- The U.S. has not paid its WADA dues since 2023, withholding a total of $7.3 million over 2024 and 2025 in protest of WADA’s handling of a case involving Chinese swimmers.
- If adopted later this year, the new rule could place Trump and U.S. lawmakers on a banned list for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- WADA spokesman James Fitzgerald previously told The Associated Press the proposed rule would not be applied retroactively so the World Cup, LA and SLC Games would not be covered.
- The U.S. lost its seat on the WADA executive committee after Rahul Gupta, the U.S. representative during the Biden administration, led the effort to reject the proposal in 2024.
- The Supreme Court (SC) of India recognised access to menstrual health as a fundamental right under Article 21, expanding the constitutional meaning of life and dignity.
- A Bench led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan reframed menstrual health and hygiene as an enforceable constitutional entitlement rather than a matter of welfare or budgetary discretion.
- The ruling mandates all government and private schools to provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary products to girls in classes 6 to 12.
- Schools are required to ensure access to functional girls’ toilets equipped with covered disposal bins, soap, clean water, and menstrual hygiene management corners.
- The judgement aligns sanitation and dignity with the Right to Education (RTE) under Article 21A and the principle of substantive equality under Article 14.
- The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) are directed to integrate gender-responsive curricula.
- District Education Officers are tasked with conducting annual inspections and collecting anonymous student feedback to monitor ground-level compliance.
- The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is designated to provide nationwide oversight for the implementation of these directives.
- Private institutions are subject to the ruling, and non-compliance may result in penalties such as derecognition.
- The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
- Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete under their national flags, and their national anthems will be played during medal ceremonies.
- The IPC confirmed that National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia has been awarded six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing, two in Para-cross country skiing, and two in Para-snowboard.
- NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in the discipline of cross-country skiing.
- The decision marks the first time the Russian flag will appear at a Winter Paralympics since 2014, following previous restrictions linked to a doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
- The IPC clarified that this policy change applies strictly to the Paralympics, while restrictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics remain separate.
IIM Ahmedabad launches Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence on 27 March 2026
[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]
Key Updates:
- Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) inaugurated the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence on 27 March 2026.
- The school was established through a Rs 100 crore endowment pledged by Grammy winner and IIM-A alumna Chandrika Tandon (PGP 1975).
- The endowment will fund three strategic pillars: translational research, curriculum innovation, and industry engagement.
- New programmes include a two-year MBA specialization in AI-enabled Management and executive-education short courses integrating ethics and governance.
- The school released its inaugural research report 'Navigating the Future Trap with AI Value Compass' in collaboration with Persistent Systems.
- The AI Value Compass framework addresses six dimensions: risk assessment, governance, data readiness, operating model redesign, workforce preparedness, and value measurement.
- Key initiatives include an AI Ethics Lab, a Policy-Engagement Forum, and annual Responsible AI Challenge competitions.
Similar Coverage
- IIT Madras and Unicorn India Ventures have launched the IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I with a corpus of Rs 600 crore and an additional Rs 400 crore greenshoe option.
- The fund will invest Rs 8-10 crore each in over 25 early-stage, IP-led deeptech startups.
- Target sectors include robotics, space technology, defence tech, semiconductors, and medical technology.
- Most investments will target startups at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-4, with some follow-on backing up to TRL 7-9.
- The 10-year fund, with a two-year extension option, will deploy around 60% of the corpus for initial portfolio and 40% for follow-on rounds.
- A large portion of investments will focus on startups emerging from the IIT Madras ecosystem, including those incubated at the IIT Madras Research Park and the IIT Madras Incubation Cell.
- The Punjab Assembly passed the Shri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University, Punjab Bill, 2026, to establish a world-class institute in Sri Anandpur Sahib.
- The university will offer north India's first specialised courses in defence, aerospace, cyber security, and quantum computing.
- The Punjab government proposed an investment of ₹300 crore for the project over the next three years, with an initial allocation of ₹20 crore in the current budget.
- The academic structure includes B.Sc. in Defence Technology, M.Sc. in Strategic and Defence Studies, M.Tech. in Defence, Electronics and Radar Systems, and M.Tech. in Military Robotics and Atomic Systems.
- Other courses include B.Tech. and M.Tech. in Artificial Intelligence (AI), M.Sc. in Data Sciences, B.Tech. in Drone Engineering and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology, maritime studies, and a Master's in Military History.
- The institute aims to educate more than 10,000 students over the next decade and intends to commence courses by July 2026.
- The House also passed the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units and Stockists and Retailers Bill, 2026, which mandates compulsory registration and digital tracking of minor minerals to curb illegal mining.
- Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the first CM Shri School at Sarojini Nagar on 17 February 2026.
- Foundation stones for 75 CM Shri School projects across Delhi were laid simultaneously.
- The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) and aims to provide modern, technology-integrated education and improved learning infrastructure.
- Education minister Ashish Sood announced that 7,000 classrooms will be converted into AI-enabled smart classrooms before the government completes its first year in office.
- 175 new ICT labs equipped with 7,000 computers, more than 100 digital libraries and over 175 language labs are being launched.
- The schools will serve children from economically weaker, lower and middle-income families with facilities comparable to private schools.
- Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan launched the two-day Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave-2026 in New Delhi.
- The conclave focuses on four verticals: AI for school education, AI for higher education, AI for skilling and workforce readiness, and AI research and deep technology.
- It aims to integrate AI in education at scale and develop the ‘Bharat EduAI Stack’ by bringing together academia, industry, policymakers, start-ups, innovators, scientific leadership and the skilling ecosystem.
- Pradhan stated that India’s AI will be inclusive by design, interoperable by architecture and sovereign by capability.
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow introduced a series of new Artificial Intelligence programmes during the event.
- An MoU was exchanged between Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Columbia University to establish a Centre of AI for manufacturing at IIT Bombay.
- On 11 February, Pradhan chaired a roundtable with founders of 10 new-age Indian start-ups using AI in education at IIT Delhi to discuss alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.