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Thursday, Apr 30

Daily Current Affairs: 30 April 2026

Analysis for 30 April 2026

National Statistics Office (NSO) records India industrial output growth of 4.1% in March 2026

Key Updates:

  • India's industrial output growth, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), slowed to 4.1% in March 2026.
  • The National Statistics Office (NSO) revised the industrial growth for February 2026 to 5.1% from the earlier estimate of 5.2%.
  • The March 2026 growth rate is the weakest since October 2025, when industrial growth was 0.5%.
  • Manufacturing growth for March 2026 stood at 4.3%, compared to 4% in the previous year.
  • Power generation expanded by 0.8% in March 2026, compared to 7.5% in March 2025.
  • Mining output rose by 5.5% in March 2026, compared to 1.2% in the corresponding period last year.
  • For the full financial year 2025–26, industrial growth was 4.1%, compared with 4% in the previous year.

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Government of India (GoI) Reports Core Sector Growth Eases to 2.3% in February (End of March) ▼
  • India's core sector growth slowed to a three-month low of 2.3% year-on-year in February, down from 4.7% in January.
  • The eight core industries account for 40.27% of the total weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
  • Cement recorded the strongest expansion among the eight industries at 9.3%, while steel production grew by 7.2%.
  • Electricity generation growth dropped to a three-month low of 0.5%, and coal output eased to 2.3%.
  • Output in energy-related industries contracted, with crude oil declining by 5.2%, natural gas by 5%, and refinery products by 1%.
  • Fertilisers output fell to a five-month low of 3.4% during the month of February.
  • Overall core sector growth for the financial year FY26 (up to February) stood at 2.9%, compared to 4.4% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
  • India's industrial output growth, measured by the IIP, slowed to a three-month low of 4.8% in January from 8% in December.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reports Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth at 5.2% for February 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) expanded 5.2% year-on-year in February 2026, up from 4.8% in January 2026.
  • Manufacturing sector grew 6.0% in February 2026, contributing the largest share to overall industrial growth.
  • Mining output rose 3.1% and electricity generation increased 2.3% during February 2026.
  • IIP stood at 159.0 in February 2026, compared with 151.1 in February 2025.
  • Among 23 NIC two-digit manufacturing groups, 14 recorded positive growth in February 2026.
  • Basic metals grew 13.2%, motor vehicles and trailers 14.9%, and machinery and equipment 10.2% in February 2026.
  • Infrastructure and construction goods grew 11.2%, capital goods 12.5%, and intermediate goods 7.7% in February 2026.
  • Consumer durables rose 7.3%, while consumer non-durables contracted 0.6% in February 2026.
  • Cumulative industrial production for April–February 2025–26 remains broadly in line with the previous year.
  • February 2026 data is based on quick estimates with a weighted response rate of 88.64% and will undergo revisions.
Government data shows Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) growth moderates to 4% in January 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded 4% growth in January 2026 against a revised 4.7% in December 2025.
  • Steel production rose 9.9% year-on-year in January 2026 and 9.8% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Cement output expanded 10.7% in January 2026 and 9.1% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Electricity generation increased 3.8% in January 2026 and 0.8% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Fertiliser production grew 3.7% in January 2026 and 1.9% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Coal output rose 3.1% in January 2026 but declined 0.3% cumulatively during April–January 2025-26.
  • Crude oil production declined 5.8% in January 2026 and 2.1% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Natural gas output fell 5.0% in January 2026 and 3.4% during April–January 2025-26.
  • Petroleum refinery products output remained unchanged in January 2026 and rose 0.1% during April–January 2025-26.
  • The ICI carries a 40.27% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
ICRA projects India GDP growth at 6.5% for FY27 amid West Asia conflict (Start of April) ▼
  • ICRA forecasts India’s GDP growth to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 from 7.6% in FY26.
  • The projection assumes average crude oil price at USD 85 per barrel in FY27.
  • ICRA expects India’s current account deficit (CAD) to widen to 1.7% of GDP in FY27 from 1% in FY26.
  • Elevated energy prices and concerns around energy availability due to the West Asia conflict are cited as key downside risks.
  • ICRA anticipates an extended pause on policy rates by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) through FY27.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches Mission SAKSHAM for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs)

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched Mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman), a sector-wide capacity-building and certification framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).
  • The initiative aims to train approximately 1.40 lakh participants, including board members, senior management, heads of risk, compliance and audit functions, and employees working in IT functions and other critical areas.
  • The mission comprises in-person training programmes and e-learning courses, with content delivery in regional languages to the extent feasible.
  • Mission SAKSHAM was designed in consultation with the Umbrella Organisation of UCBs and national/state cooperative federations.
  • The initiative was first announced during the monetary policy on February 6, 2026.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank effective 6 April 2026. (Start of April) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of The Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank due to inadequate capital and earning prospects.
  • The bank ceases all banking operations from the close of business on 6 April 2026.
  • The Commissioner for Cooperation, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has been requested to order winding up and appoint a liquidator.
  • Depositors will receive up to Rs 5 lakh per account from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
  • As per bank data, 99.7% of depositors are eligible to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC.
  • As on 31 January 2026, DICGC has already paid Rs 48.95 crore of total insured deposits based on depositors' willingness.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) classifies bank loans to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) as Priority Sector Lending (PSL) (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, has announced that loans sanctioned by banks to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for on-lending to cooperative societies are eligible for Priority Sector Lending (PSL) classification.
  • This eligibility is applicable for loans sanctioned with effect from 19 January 2026.
  • The classification applies to banks other than Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Local Area Banks (LABs).
  • These loans must be for purposes and activities as laid down in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending, 2025.
  • The measure aims to strengthen the financial health, governance, and digital inclusion of cooperative banks while enhancing deposit security and credit availability.
RBI classifies NCDC on-lending loans as priority sector lending (Mid of February) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that loans sanctioned by banks to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) w.e.f. 19 January 2026 for on-lending to cooperative societies are eligible for classification as priority sector lending.
  • The classification applies to banks other than Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks, Small Finance Banks and Local Area Banks.
  • The loans must comply with purposes and activities laid down in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending, 2025.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches Mission SAKSHAM for Urban Cooperative Banking sector

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched Mission SAKSHAM for the capacity-building of the Urban Cooperative Banking (UCB) sector.
  • Mission SAKSHAM aims to conduct training programmes for approximately 1.40 lakh participants.
  • The target groups for the training include board members, senior management, heads of risk, compliance and audit functions, and employees working in IT functions and other critical areas.
  • The RBI shall endeavour to deliver the training content in regional languages to the extent feasible.
  • The mission was designed in consultation with the National/State Cooperative Federations and the Umbrella Organisation of UCBs.
  • The initiative is expected to enhance managerial and operational capabilities, improve compliance culture, and strengthen institutional resilience across UCBs.

Similar Coverage

Dirghavadhi Krishak Punji Sahakar Yojana launched to provide long-term credit to cooperatives (Mid of March) ▼
  • National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) launched the Dirghavadhi Krishak Punji Sahakar Yojana under the Ministry of Cooperation.
  • The scheme provides long-term financial assistance to cooperatives engaged in agriculture and allied sectors.
  • Eligible cooperatives must have minimum 3 years of operational history, positive net worth, no erosion in paid-up share capital, no cash losses in the last three years, and recorded net profit in at least two of the last three years.
  • Loans are sanctioned against adequate security after appraisal of financial health, operational performance and creditworthiness.
  • Recovery in case of default involves recall notice, action under Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 Section 138, proceedings under SARFAESI Act 2002 Sections 13(2) and 13(4), and cases filed in Debt Recovery Tribunal under Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act 1993.
NCDC rolls out Yuva Sahakar and Swayamshakti schemes with 2% interest subvention (Start of February) ▼
  • National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) implements fully-funded Yuva Sahakar and Swayamshakti Sahakar schemes under Ministry of Cooperation.
  • Yuva Sahakar offers start-up cooperatives of young entrepreneurs term credit up to five years with 2% interest subvention.
  • NCDC has approved Rs 4,734.97 lakh under Yuva Sahakar benefitting 18,915 members by end-2024.
  • Swayamshakti Sahakar Yojana provides low-cost bank credit to women-only Self-Help Groups for collective enterprises.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank effective 6 April 2026. (Start of April) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of The Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank due to inadequate capital and earning prospects.
  • The bank ceases all banking operations from the close of business on 6 April 2026.
  • The Commissioner for Cooperation, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has been requested to order winding up and appoint a liquidator.
  • Depositors will receive up to Rs 5 lakh per account from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
  • As per bank data, 99.7% of depositors are eligible to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC.
  • As on 31 January 2026, DICGC has already paid Rs 48.95 crore of total insured deposits based on depositors' willingness.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) classifies bank loans to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) as Priority Sector Lending (PSL) (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, has announced that loans sanctioned by banks to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for on-lending to cooperative societies are eligible for Priority Sector Lending (PSL) classification.
  • This eligibility is applicable for loans sanctioned with effect from 19 January 2026.
  • The classification applies to banks other than Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Local Area Banks (LABs).
  • These loans must be for purposes and activities as laid down in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending, 2025.
  • The measure aims to strengthen the financial health, governance, and digital inclusion of cooperative banks while enhancing deposit security and credit availability.

Basmati and Organic Training Centre: ₹15 Crore Project in Pilibhit

[Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (India)]

Key Updates:

  • The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is establishing a basmati and organic training centre and demonstration farm in Tanda Bijesi village, Pilibhit.
  • The project has an estimated cost of ₹15 crore and involves the transfer of 7 acres of land.
  • The facility, known as the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) centre, is the second such centre in Uttar Pradesh after Meerut.
  • The centre will feature an AI-based satellite survey to map basmati cultivation areas, identify varieties, and generate data for export estimates.
  • The facility will include a seed unit, an auditorium, a museum of 45 notified basmati varieties, and a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited lab.
  • The NABL-accredited lab will be used to test for DNA, pesticide residues, and heavy metals.
  • The BEDF aims to train over 50,000 farmers across seven basmati-producing states by the end of 2025–26.
  • The centre will cater to farmers from Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states, including Uttarakhand and Delhi.
  • Construction of the project will be carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) and is expected to be completed within a year.

Similar Coverage

40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair inaugurated on 11 March 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • The 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair was inaugurated on 11 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
  • Italy is the partner country for the 40th edition, marking the first time the fair has featured a partner country.
  • The event is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and spans an area of 125,000 square metres.
  • The fair features 1,800 participants, including 155 international participants from 17 countries.
  • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal noted that India is the seventh largest exporter of agricultural produce globally.
  • India’s annual food and agricultural exports have reached nearly ₹5 lakh crore, exceeding USD 55 billion.
  • The official AAHAR digital app was introduced to facilitate QR-enabled interactions, B2B networking, and hall navigation.
  • The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry will provide support to exporters under the Export Promotion Mission.
  • India has concluded nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) over the past three and a half years, providing preferential market access to 38 countries.
Department of Posts–TRIFED MoU to Establish Nationwide Logistics Backbone for Tribal E-Commerce (End of March) ▼
  • The Department of Posts (DoP) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) to create a nationwide logistics backbone for tribal e-commerce.
  • The partnership leverages the DoP network of over 1.5 lakh post offices, with more than 90% located in rural areas, to deliver goods sold via the Tribes India e-marketplace.
  • The DoP will provide end-to-end logistics solutions including order pickup from TRIFED regional hubs, nationwide transmission, and final delivery to urban, rural, and remote areas.
  • Technological features of the collaboration include real-time shipment tracking, API-based integration for automated order processing, and Management Information System (MIS) reporting.
  • A Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) account will be established for TRIFED under the National Account Facility of the DoP to enable deferred payments for bulk shipments and simplified accounting.
  • The initiative aims to benefit over 10 lakh tribal artisans and forest produce gatherers by expanding market access for indigenous handicrafts, handlooms, and natural products.
  • The MoU is initially valid for a period of two years and includes provisions for review and potential expansion to other rural and artisan-based sectors.
  • The collaboration aligns with national visions including Digital India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the Vocal for Local initiative.
Union Minister inaugurates BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at CSIR-CFTRI in Mysuru. (Start of April) ▼
  • Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh launched the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre on the CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) campus.
  • The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) supported the initiative under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
  • The facility nurtures entrepreneurial talent in food bioprocessing and biotechnology research and supports advanced research, scale-up, and efficacy studies.
  • CSIR-CFTRI’s incubation ecosystem has supported 26 start-ups, including 12 physical incubatees, 11 hybrid incubatees, and three graduated ventures.
  • Incubated companies have filed 12 patents so far and operate in domains such as CRISPR technology, nutraceuticals, precision fermentation, probiotics and postbiotics, and botanicals.
  • The Indian Army has shown interest in the incubated innovations during high-profile visits in 2025 and 2026.
  • A hostel facility for farmers, FPOs, SHGs, cluster representatives, and other training participants will be built under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and will include a 50-seat classroom, twin-sharing accommodation, kitchen, dining, and other amenities.
  • The Minister performed the bhoomi puja for the hostel facility on the M.G. Halli campus during his visit.
  • CSIR-CFTRI conducts nearly 30-35 training programmes every year and the hostel is expected to be ready in a year to strengthen skill development initiatives aligned with the government’s ‘Skill India’ programme in food processing.
MoFPI Inaugurates ₹2.35 Crore Food Processing Incubation Centre under PMFME Scheme (Mid of March) ▼
  • Union Minister for Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) Chirag Paswan inaugurated a Common Incubation Centre at Tezpur University in the Sonitpur district of Assam on 13 March 2026.
  • The facility was established with a total outlay of ₹2.35 crore, funded through 100% financial assistance from the MoFPI.
  • The centre is launched under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, which operates under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
  • The project aims to support micro food processing enterprises, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and start-ups.
  • The incubation hub includes seven specialised processing lines for fruits, grains, spices, bakery products, confectionery, packaging, and quality testing.
  • The facility is designed to serve entrepreneurs in the Assam districts of Sonitpur, Darrang, Udalguri, Biswanath, Nagaon, and Golaghat.
  • According to the MoFPI, more than 1.87 lakh micro food processing enterprises have received loan approvals nationwide under the PMFME Scheme.

IP Application Fee Waiver for Sports Sector: Zero Fee for 3 Years

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced a three-year waiver of application fees for intellectual property rights (IPRs) related to the sports sector.
  • The zero-fee waiver covers trademarks, copyrights, patents, designs, traditional knowledge, and Geographical Indication (GI) products.
  • The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) will issue the notification for this waiver.
  • The announcement was made during the World IP Day 2026 event, organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
  • Current IPR application fees range between ₹500 and ₹60,000, depending on the applicant entity.
  • The DPIIT operates a scheme to provide handholding support to applicants for the registration process within the IP ecosystem.
  • The Kashmir's Willow Bat is identified as having a GI certification.

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Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to introduce player contract system from 2026-27 season (Mid of April) ▼
  • MCA decided to implement annual contracts for its players effective from the 2026-2027 domestic season.
  • The contract system will have three grades – A, B and C – with remuneration based on grade.
  • Grade A players will be paid between 12 lakh and 20 lakh rupees per annum.
  • Grade B players will be paid between 8 lakh and 12 lakh rupees per annum.
  • Grade C players will receive 8 lakh rupees per annum.
  • The proposal was passed during the recent Apex Council meeting of MCA.
  • MCA President Ajinkya Naik stated that the contract system will provide stability to players who do not feature in the IPL.
  • Eligibility criteria include registration with MCA, meeting minimum fitness standards, not having represented India in any format in the past two seasons, not being selected by an IPL team in the past two seasons, and recommendation by the selection committee.
  • In 2024, MCA decided to match the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) match fees for Ranji Trophy cricketers, which range from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 per day depending on the number of games played.
India sports economy surpasses $2 billion milestone in 2025 (End of March) ▼
  • India’s sports economy reached Rs 18,864 crore ($2.1 billion) in 2025, reflecting a 13.4% year-on-year growth according to the 13th edition of WPP Media’s Sporting Nation report.
  • Cricket accounted for 89% of total industry revenues, generating Rs 16,704 crore and contributing 95% of total media spends.
  • The Indian Premier League (IPL) remained the primary growth driver, supported by the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and India’s Champions Trophy victory.
  • Media spending was the largest sector at 51% of the total economy, with advertising investments rising to Rs 9,571 crore.
  • Digital media spending increased by 24% to Rs 4,449 crore, while television spending grew by 16.4% to Rs 5,117 crore.
  • Sports sponsorship spending rose to Rs 7,943 crore, representing 42% of the overall market value.
  • Sports celebrity endorsements reached Rs 1,350 crore in 2025, with cricket accounting for 87% of this value at Rs 1,178 crore.
  • The industry has nearly doubled in size from Rs 9,530 crore in 2021, recording a compound annual growth rate of 18.6% over four years.
Vishwas Bill 2.0 to Decriminalise 100+ Provisions and ₹15.48 Lakh Crore Capex Proposed for 2025-26 (End of March) ▼
  • The Government of India will introduce the Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalise more than 100 provisions across various laws to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EODB).
  • Since 2014, the government has removed over 42,000 compliance requirements and decriminalised more than 3,700 legal provisions, including 180 under the Jan Vishwas Act 2023.
  • The total effective Capital Expenditure (Capex) for the 2025-26 fiscal year is proposed at ₹15.48 lakh crore, which constitutes 4.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
  • The Central Government has allocated ₹11.21 lakh crore as core capital expenditure for 2025-26, amounting to 3.1 per cent of the GDP.
  • The Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) loan limit has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, with 11 public sector banks extending this to existing customers and seven to new customers.
  • A total of ₹33 lakh crore has been sanctioned under the MUDRA scheme, while the PM SVANidhi scheme has sanctioned ₹14,000 crore across 99 lakh accounts.
  • The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has established 21 new branches in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) clusters during the 2024-25 period.
  • The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has launched a pilot for the PM Internship Scheme to provide 1.25 lakh opportunities in top companies, attracting over 6 lakh registered applicants.
  • Under the Stand-Up India initiative, a total of ₹59,000 crore has been disbursed to 2.62 lakh accounts to support entrepreneurship.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) records 30.2% surge in India patent filings to 1.43 lakh in FY 2025-26 (Mid of April) ▼
  • Patent applications filed in India rose 30.2% to 1,43,729 in 2025-26 from 1,10,375 in 2024-25.
  • Domestic filings accounted for over 69% of total applications, with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra leading.
  • Patent filings have climbed every year since 2016-17, when they stood at 45,444.
  • Government measures include reduced fees for startups, small entities, and educational institutions; expedited examination; and pro bono facilitation for Indian startups.
  • Applications are examined under a two-tier system of the Patents Act, 1970, with pre-grant and post-grant opposition provisions.

Prashast 2.0 to identify 21 types of disabilities in children

Key Updates:

  • The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Government of India (GoI), will launch the upgraded Prashast 2.0 app in May.
  • The app is designed to screen 21 types of disabilities and simplify the certification process for children with special needs (CWSN).
  • Students identified with potential disabilities through the app will be linked to special support services under the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
  • The app enables school-level screening by automatically connecting school heads, teachers, special educators, and students.
  • The User Acceptance Testing (UAT) programme was organised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) with participants from Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

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Bhopal Passport Office launches Braille script and sign language services to boost accessibility for differently-abled applicants. (Start of April) ▼
  • Regional Passport Office (RPO) Bhopal introduced passport-related information in Braille script for visually impaired applicants.
  • A series of sign language videos were launched for speech and hearing-impaired applicants to guide them through the passport application process.
  • Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Programme) and Chief Passport Officer, B S Mubarak, inaugurated the Braille initiative and sign language video series at RPO Bhopal.
  • Special Braille booklets detailing the application process, including ECR and Non-ECR categories, Normal and Tatkal applications, and key do's and don'ts, were published.
  • Braille signage plates were installed within the office premises to assist in navigation for visually impaired applicants.
  • The sign language videos provide guidance on procedures at Counter A (biometric enrolment), Counter B (document verification), and Counter C (granting of applications).
  • The videos include QR codes for direct access to relevant online resources.
  • A dedicated Grievance Redressal Cell was inaugurated at RPO Bhopal to ensure prompt resolution of passport-related complaints.
Pondicherry University and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) sign MoU to advance disability rights (Start of March) ▼
  • Pondicherry University signed a memorandum of understanding with the office of the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities (CCPD), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • The MoU aims to advance accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities through joint initiatives in research, internships, academic exchanges, conferences, and related scholarly activities.
  • The partnership will create structured avenues for students and scholars of Pondicherry University to engage with the CCPD through practical exposure and academic contributions.
DEPwD–Coalition of the Willing MoU for life-cycle empowerment of persons with hearing impairment (Mid of March) ▼
  • Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment signed an MoU with the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ on 12 March 2026 in New Delhi.
  • The coalition includes Yunikee (Gopalakrishnan Foundation for the Deaf), Blee Tech Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Training and Educational Centre for Hearing Impaired (TEACH), WinVinaya Foundation, Buddy4Study India Foundation, VCrop Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC).
  • The partnership will design and implement interventions covering awareness, assistive technologies, early identification, education, skill development, employment, scholarships, Indian Sign Language digital content and sustainable livelihoods.
  • The initiative aims to create an integrated life-cycle empowerment model for persons with hearing impairment from early intervention to social inclusion.
Thanya Nathan C. set to become first visually challenged woman judge in Kerala. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Thanya Nathan C. ranked first on the merit list of persons with benchmark disabilities in the Kerala Judicial Service examination for Civil Judges (Junior Division).
  • Joyson Sajan, who has cerebral palsy, secured the second rank in the same list.
  • A 2025 Supreme Court Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan ruled that visually impaired candidates are eligible for judicial service posts.
  • The Kerala High Court has completed selection and forwarded the list to the State government for appointment letter issuance.
  • Ms. Nathan, 24, had earlier secured first rank in her LLB examination from Kannur University.
  • She began legal practice as a junior to K.G. Sunilkumar at Taliparamba in Kannur district.

Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026: ₹10,000 Crore Investment Target

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

  • The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026, aiming to attract over ₹10,000 crore in investment and generate 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031.
  • The policy proposes the establishment of a Maharashtra AI Mission, five AI innovation cities, and six sectoral Centres of Excellence (CoE).
  • The six sectoral CoEs will focus on healthcare, agriculture, education, urban development, Marathi language and culture, and finance and revenue.
  • The state targets the training of two lakh youth and professionals through the Maharashtra Centre for Advanced AI Training (MCAT).
  • A common computing backbone featuring at least 2,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) will be created under a compute-as-a-service model for government departments.
  • The policy includes the creation of datasets in Marathi, regional dialects, and tribal languages, alongside a State AI Data Exchange.
  • A 20 per cent subsidy on AI adoption will be provided to 5,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
  • A ₹500 crore AI startup venture fund will be established with equal contributions from the government and private sector.
  • Twelve AI incubators will be set up, providing grants of up to ₹1 crore for startups and up to ₹1.25 crore for women-led ventures.
  • The state has set a target to support at least one AI unicorn.
  • A Maha AI Tools Hub will be established as a common platform to support AI adoption.
  • Investment incentives include up to 20 per cent capital subsidy, 100 per cent stamp duty exemption, and a power tariff subsidy of ₹2 per unit for up to 10 years.
  • The policy mandates annual AI readiness audits across all government departments.

Similar Coverage

Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) for AI Governance Support (End of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has constituted the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC).
  • The TPEC is an advisory body designed to provide specialised technical, policy, and strategic expertise to the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG).
  • The TPEC is chaired by the Secretary of MeitY.
  • The committee comprises experts from academic research, the technology industry, and digital policy.
  • The TPEC will provide expert inputs on policy design, regulatory measures, and India's engagements in AI governance across global forums.
  • The AIGEG is responsible for setting the strategic direction and coordinating policy across the government.
PM Modi Unveils MANAV Vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Delhi Summit (Mid of February) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the MANAV vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi on 19 February 2026.
  • The MANAV vision stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty, Accessible and inclusive, and Valid and legitimate.
  • Moral and ethical systems (M) signify that AI development should be based on ethical guidance.
  • Accountable governance (A) refers to the implementation of transparent rules and robust oversight.
  • National sovereignty (N) emphasizes data rights, specifically whose data, his right.
  • Accessible and inclusive (A) aims to ensure AI acts as a multiplier rather than a monopoly.
  • Valid and legitimate (V) ensures that AI systems are lawful and verifiable.
Maharashtra Budget 2026-27: Crop loan waiver up to ₹2 lakh and Ladki Bahin Yojana to continue (Start of March) ▼
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the state Budget 2026-27, becoming the first CM to do so.
  • Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmafi Yojna will waive crop loans up to ₹2 lakh for farmers with arrears up to September 2025.
  • Farmers who are regular in loan repayments will receive a ₹50,000 incentive under the scheme.
  • Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana for women will continue with adequate government funding.
  • The budget aims to make Maharashtra a $5 trillion economy by 2047.
  • A memorial will be built for late NCP leader and former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who died in an air crash near Baramati in January.
  • Concrete roads will be provided in villages with a population of over 1,000.
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.

Namma 112: AI-powered multilingual emergency helpline introduced by Bengaluru Police

Key Updates:

  • Bengaluru Police introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered multilingual feature in its Namma 112 emergency helpline, becoming the first police unit in India to deploy such a system.
  • The system supports over 10 Indian and foreign languages, including Bengali, Malayalam, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Assamese, Kashmiri, Nepali, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
  • The initiative was developed in collaboration with Monday Ventures and Aeos.
  • The system utilises Multilingual Voice AI for Nationwide Key Interventions (VANKI) for communication in multiple languages.
  • The Bengaluru Police control room receives approximately 8,000 phone calls daily, of which around 2,000 require action.

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Punjab Government and IIT Ropar sign MoU for AI-based Crime Prevention System (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Punjab Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar to develop a structured data system for crime prevention.
  • The partnership aims to strengthen the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in identifying and preventing crimes through advanced data analysis and voice recognition.
  • IIT Ropar will develop software featuring dashboard-based monitoring to support real-time tracking and intelligence-led policing.
  • The initiative enables the Punjab Police to integrate structured and unstructured data, including scanned PDFs and handwritten crime records, into a unified digital system.
  • The system is designed to provide one-click access to a comprehensive database of criminals to improve crime detection and public safety.
BharatGen and L&T Arms to Build India's Sovereign AI Compute Platform (End of April) ▼
  • 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.
India launches Nyaya Setu AI chatbot to democratise access to justice (Start of April) ▼
  • Nyaya Setu, a voice-first multilingual AI legal assistant, was unveiled by the Vice-President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, at the DISHA programme in Vigyan Bhawan.
  • The chatbot was developed by the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • Nyaya Setu integrates Automatic Speech Recognition, Multilingual Natural Language Processing, and Conversational AI aligned with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
  • The platform supports 36 text languages and 23 voice languages, including tribal dialects, and processes over 15 million daily AI inferences.
  • Its mascot ‘Dishika’ guides users through legal queries with simplified explanations and interactive engagement.
  • BHASHINI’s Shrutlekh system demonstrated real-time transcription and multilingual translation of speeches during the launch event.
BHASHINI–PFRDA MoU integrates multilingual AI and voice technologies into India’s pension ecosystem (End of March) ▼
  • Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) signed a strategic MoU under the initiative 'BHASHINI for Seva / Sanchalan – A BHASHINI Sahayogi Program'.
  • The collaboration enables seamless access to pension services in all 22 scheduled Indian languages.
  • PFRDA platforms will use BHASHINI translation APIs for real-time multilingual content, AI-driven language models for contextual communication, and voice-enabled interfaces to simplify user interaction.
  • The integration aims to bring first-time savers into the pension ecosystem, improve financial literacy, and enhance trust and engagement with digital platforms.
  • BHASHINI, developed under the Digital India programme, provides real-time translation across Indian languages, speech-to-text and text-to-speech systems, and AI models adaptable to sector-specific needs.
  • The MoU includes structured enrichment of linguistic datasets to improve accuracy and contextual understanding of AI models and enable domain-specific customisation for pension-related communication.
  • Voice-based access will allow users to seek pension information through spoken queries, navigate services without complex interfaces, and interact with systems in natural, conversational language.

National Medical Commission (NMC) removes cap on MBBS seats and eases population norms

[National Medical Commission (NMC)]

Key Updates:

  • The National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a gazette notification on April 27 to amend 2023 regulations governing new medical colleges and expansion of existing courses.
  • The NMC removed the clause that capped the total number of MBBS seats at 150 per college for institutions seeking expansion from the 2024–25 academic year.
  • The requirement for states to maintain a ratio of 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population has been removed.
  • The maximum distance between a medical college and its teaching hospital is now prescribed as 10 km, replacing the previous 30-minute travel-time cap.
  • For Himalayan and northeastern states, the maximum distance between a medical college and its teaching hospital has been relaxed to 15 km.
  • The amendments were notified under the NMC Act, 2019, and apply to the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, and the Undergraduate Medical Education Board’s seat expansion guidelines.

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Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS): Eligibility expanded to final-year students (End of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is piloting the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS).
  • Eligibility for the PMIS pilot phase has been expanded to include final-year students in graduate and postgraduate programmes.
  • Eligible students must be between 18-25 years of age to apply for paid internships in top companies through the PMIS portal.
  • Interns under the PMIS will receive a minimum financial assistance of ₹9,000 per month.
  • Applicants are required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective educational institutions.
  • The MCA formalised these changes in consultation with the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
  • The scheme supports the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) regarding experiential learning, student employability, and skill development.
  • The third round of the PMIS pilot phase is currently underway.
Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) lists ₹200 crore green bonds on NSE and BSE with 5.24x oversubscription (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) listed its green bonds on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Monday, receiving an oversubscription of 5.24 times.
  • The NMC aims to raise ₹200 crore to fund key water supply projects linked to the Mukane dam.
  • The NMC has become the first municipal corporation in India to complete both public and private bond issuances within a single financial year.
  • The bond proceeds will finance the expansion of the Mukane water supply scheme, including a water treatment plant at Nilgiri Bag in the Panchavati division and a gravity-based main water distribution pipeline from Vilholi to Sadhugram in Tapovan.
  • The initiatives are expected to reduce the non-revenue water of the city from 47% to 20%.
  • The NMC will pay ₹104 crore in interest over the next decade but will receive ₹96 crore from the Centre's urban challenge funds, ₹20 crore in incentives for green bonds, and ₹50 crore in accumulated escrow account interest.
  • Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) to identify projects for smaller municipal corporations to collectively raise ₹1,000 crore through similar bonds.
MSRTC rolls out NCMC smart card for digital, hassle-free bus travel (Start of April) ▼
  • Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) launched the NCMC smart card for digital ticketing and concession access.
  • The launch was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.
  • NCMC smart cards linked to Aadhaar will be issued to students, senior citizens, divyang persons with disabilities, women, and other concession holders.
  • Registration and distribution of the cards will be carried out at all depots and bus stations across Maharashtra, with around 3,000 authorised centres facilitating the process.
  • Passengers can use the cards for wallet-based payments, with a minimum top-up of Rs 100.
  • Recharge options will be available through ETIM machines on buses, the official website, mobile app, and authorised agents.
  • The cost of the NCMC smart card has been fixed at Rs 199.
Finance Ministry (DEA) reduces minimum public shareholding for IPOs to 2.5% (Mid of March) ▼
  • Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) notified amendments to Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 on 13 March.
  • Minimum mandated public shareholding of a listed stock reduced from 5% to 2.5%.
  • Companies with post-issue capital ≤ ₹1,600 crore must offer at least 25% of each class of equity shares or debentures to the public.
  • Companies with post-issue capital > ₹1,600 crore but ≤ ₹4,000 crore must offer at least a percentage equivalent to ₹400 crore.
  • Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹4,000 crore but ≤ ₹50,000 crore must offer at least 10% of each share or debenture, subject to increasing public shareholding to at least 25% within three years.
  • Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹50,000 crore but < ₹1 lakh crore must offer at least ₹1,000 crore and at least 8% of each share or debenture, subject to increasing public shareholding to at least 25% within three years.
  • Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹1 lakh crore but ≤ ₹5 lakh crore must offer at least 2.75% of each share or debenture, subject to achieving specified timelines.
  • Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹5 lakh crore must offer at least 1% of each share or debenture if public shareholding at listing is <15%, increasing to at least 15% within five years and 25% within ten years.
  • Amendment clears the way for Reliance-owned Jio Platform and National Stock Exchange IPOs.

FSSAI Draft Notification: Ban on Plastic and Metallised Layers in Pan Masala Packaging

[Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)]

Key Updates:

  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a draft notification proposing that pan masala packaging should not use plastic material or metal layers.
  • The proposed regulation prohibits the use of plastic material, aluminium foil, or metallised layers for storing, packing, or selling gutkha, tobacco, and pan masala.
  • Permitted packaging materials include paper, cardboard, cellulose-based materials, tin, or glass containers.
  • The notification specifically bans the use of polythene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, synthetic polymers, copolymers, or laminates.
  • This draft amendment is aligned with the government Plastic Waste Management Rules.
  • Stakeholders have been asked to submit their comments on the draft notification within 30 days.

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FSSAI reforms grant perpetual validity to licences and raise registration turnover threshold (Mid of March) ▼
  • Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated that its registration certificates and licences will now have perpetual validity and will not require renewal.
  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved the perpetual validity reform effective from the date of the FSSAI announcement.
  • The turnover threshold for registration has been increased from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore effective 10 March.
  • State licensing will apply up to ₹50 crore turnover and Central licensing beyond this limit, effective 1 April 2026.
  • Street food vendors registered with Municipal Corporations or Town Vending Committees under the Street Vendors Act 2014 will be deemed registered with FSSAI.
  • The deemed registration is expected to benefit more than 10 lakh street food vendors by removing the need for multiple registrations.
PM-AASHA and Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission: Expansion of MSP Procurement in Chhattisgarh and Bihar (End of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution expanded procurement operations under the PM-AASHA scheme in Chhattisgarh and launched the first structured pulse procurement in Bihar under the Atmanirbhar Pulses Mission.
  • The procurement drive is led by the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).
  • In Bihar, NCCF initiated organised procurement of masoor (lentil) supported by Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA)-approved warehouses in collaboration with the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC).
  • Bihar has a procurement target of 32,000 tonnes of masoor, with 100.4 metric tonnes procured as of 22 April 2026.
  • In Chhattisgarh, PM-AASHA procurement uses the E-Samyukti portal for digitised farmer participation.
  • Chhattisgarh has 85 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) centres operational in Dhamtari, Durg, Balod, Balodabazar, Raipur, Raigarh, and Sarangarh, with planned expansion in Sarguja, Kondagaon, and Koriya.
  • NCCF set procurement targets in Chhattisgarh for 63,325 MT of chana and 5,360 MT of masoor.
  • As of 22 April 2026, NCCF achieved procurement of 9,032 MT of chana and 7.98 MT of masoor in Chhattisgarh.
  • NAFED established 137 procurement centres through State Level Agencies in Chhattisgarh, alongside 7 direct centres for chana and 3 for masoor.
  • As of 22 April 2026, NAFED procured 3,850 MT of chana and 109 MT of masoor in Chhattisgarh.
Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) formalises technology transfer from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) to advance science-backed food and beverage innovations. (End of February) ▼
  • Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) formalised the transfer of indigenously developed food and nutrition-focused technologies from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) on 19 February 2026 in Bangalore, Karnataka.
  • CSIR-NIIST's advanced formulation technology for nutritionally enhanced 'Smarter Rice' delivers higher protein content, lower glycaemic index, and improved micronutrient availability.
  • CSIR-NIIST's indigenous coffee crema technology enhances crema stability and improves the sensory experience of brewed coffee.
  • Tata Consumer Products and CSIR-NIIST will jointly undertake sponsored research to develop low-sodium salt formulations that enable sodium reduction without compromising flavour.
  • Tata Consumer Products has a consolidated annual turnover of Rs. 17,618 Crs and reaches over 275 million households in India.
MoHFW Regulatory Reforms for Food Safety and Ease of Doing Business (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) approved comprehensive regulatory reforms aligned with the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms of NITI Aayog.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registrations and licences will now have perpetual validity, eliminating the requirement for periodic renewals for Food Business Operators (FBOs).
  • With effect from 1st April 2026, the turnover threshold for registration will be increased from ₹12 lakhs to ₹1.5 crore.
  • The threshold for State licensing has been set up to ₹50 crores, with Central licensing applicable for businesses exceeding this limit.
  • Street food vendors registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, will be considered as deemed registered under FSSAI, benefiting over 10 lakh vendors.
  • A technology-enabled, dynamic risk-based inspection framework will be implemented to incentivise compliant businesses and reduce repetitive inspections based on nature of food and past compliance records.

Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) Centre: ₹15 Crore Training Facility in Pilibhit

Key Updates:

  • The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is establishing a basmati and organic training centre and demonstration farm in Tanda Bijesi village, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
  • The project is estimated at ₹15 crore and involves the transfer of 7 acres of land.
  • The Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) centre is the second such facility in Uttar Pradesh, following the one in Meerut.
  • The BEDF centre will serve farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi.
  • The project includes an AI-based satellite survey to map basmati cultivation areas, identify varieties, and generate data for export estimates.
  • The facility will feature a seed unit, an auditorium, a museum of 45 notified basmati varieties, and a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited lab to test for DNA, pesticide residues, and heavy metals.
  • The BEDF aims to train over 50,000 farmers across seven basmati-producing states by the end of 2025–26.
  • Construction is being executed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and is expected to be completed within a year.

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Free Online Coaching Initiative by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) for 5,000 candidates annually (Start of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) signed an MoU with Physics Wallah (PW) Foundation to deliver free online coaching.
  • The scheme covers Civil Services Examination, Staff Selection Commission Examination and Banking Examinations.
  • 5,000 Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class and Pradhan Mantri CARES for Children Scheme beneficiaries will be selected each year through a merit-based online portal.
  • Selected candidates receive live and recorded classes, test series, previous year question papers, study material, mentorship, doubt-solving support and counselling.
  • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has not signed any similar MoU for Scheduled Tribe students.
NAMASTE Scheme distributes PPE kits, Ayushman Cards and sewing machines to sanitation workers in Pilibhit (End of February) ▼
  • The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme awareness programme will be held on 26 February 2026 at Gandhi Prekshagrih, Gandhi Stadium, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman Cards will be distributed to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and waste pickers during the event.
  • Beneficiaries who completed skill development training will receive sewing machines to support livelihood and economic empowerment.
  • B.L. Verma, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), will grace the event.
Assam rolls out Provincialisation Management System (PMS 1.0) portal and Guru Dakshina scheme (End of February) ▼
  • The Assam government launched the Provincialisation Management System (PMS 1.0) portal to streamline provincialisation of venture educational institutions under the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-Organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, as amended in 2025.
  • Institutions established before 2006 will be considered for provincialisation and must submit documentary proof through the portal.
  • The government will open around 75,000 teacher and lecturer vacancies this year, with UGC-qualified candidates assured fair opportunities.
  • The Guru Dakshina scheme provides one-time financial assistance to teachers who missed earlier provincialisation due to lack of certificates or eligibility issues, and they will receive preference marks in future recruitment.

Moving Towards Effective City Government Roadmap: Urban Governance Reforms

Key Updates:

  • The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) released a roadmap titled “Moving Towards Effective City Government” to strengthen city governments in India’s million-plus cities.
  • The report was unveiled by the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar.
  • The roadmap proposes the introduction of directly elected mayors with fixed terms to increase accountability to the public.
  • It recommends integrating essential services, including water, sanitation, and public transport, under a single accountable city authority to reduce delays.
  • The report suggests strengthening municipal finances through increased local revenue generation, timely transfers from states, and access to municipal bonds.
  • According to Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) data, India has over 1.12 crore registered housing units with approximately 1.91 lakh complaints filed by buyers.
  • In Maharashtra, over 54,000 projects are registered, covering nearly 48 lakh housing units.
  • The report states that improving urban governance is essential for India to achieve its goal of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

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Ashok Lahiri to be Vice-Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) (End of April) ▼
  • Former Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Ashok Lahiri will be the next Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog.
  • He will replace Suman Bery in the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India.
  • Ashok Lahiri is a member of the 15th Finance Commission and a current member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
  • He previously served as the CEA in December 2002 during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • Gobardhan Das, the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, will become a member of NITI Aayog.
  • The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairman of NITI Aayog.
NITI Aayog releases reports on "Ease of Doing Research & Development in India" (Mid of April) ▼
  • The reports titled “Ease of Doing Research & Development in India” and “Survey Report on Ease of Doing R&D in India” were released on 9 April 2026 in New Delhi.
  • The release was officiated by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST).
  • The exercise leading to the reports spanned approximately nine months and involved outreach to over 400 institutional leaders and insights from more than 850 distinguished scientists and researchers across the country.
  • The event featured senior officials including Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog; Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog; Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Former President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA); Prof. Vinod Kumar Singh, President, National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI); Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, President, INSA; and Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
  • The reports propose actionable recommendations to improve funding mechanisms, institutional governance, regulatory frameworks, and research translation in India’s R&D ecosystem.
Ashok Lahiri Appointed Vice Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) (End of April) ▼
  • Ashok Lahiri, an economist and former chief economic advisor, appointed as Vice Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog).
  • Ashok Lahiri replaces Suman Bery, who served as the vice chairman of NITI Aayog for four years.
  • The government appointed five new members to NITI Aayog: Rajiv Gauba, Prof. K. V. Raju, Prof. Gobardhan Das, Dr. M. Srinivas, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
  • Rajiv Gauba, a former cabinet secretary, was appointed in March 2025.
  • Prof. Gobardhan Das is the director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal.
  • Prof. K. V. Raju is a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM).
  • Prof. Abhay Karandikar is the secretary in the Department of Science and Technology.
  • Dr. M. Srinivas is the director at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
  • The new members replace existing members Ramesh Chand, Arvind Virmani, VK Saraswat, and Dr VK Paul.
Kerala Urban Policy: First comprehensive state-level urban roadmap for 2050 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Kerala became the first state in India to frame a comprehensive Urban Policy, approved by the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
  • The Nava Kerala Urban Policy envisions Kerala in 2050 as 'a continuous network of climate-smart cities and towns, ensuring scientific planning and good governance.'
  • The Kerala Urban Policy Commission, constituted in December 2023, submitted its report to the Chief Minister in March 2025.
  • The policy projects Kerala to be nearly 80 per cent urbanised by 2050 with decentralised urban growth between the high ranges and the coastal belt.
  • Key thematic areas of the policy include reforms in laws and institutional systems, capacity building, people-centric services, infrastructure development, and spatial and strategic planning.

Jal Jeevan Mission: Uttar Pradesh introduces 10-year warranty model for rural water schemes

Key Updates:

  • Uttar Pradesh introduced a mandatory 10-year operations and maintenance (O&M) ‘warranty’ for rural drinking water projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
  • Under the new framework, construction agencies are responsible for operating and maintaining water supply infrastructure for a decade.
  • The state rolled out the ‘Jal Arpan’ initiative to transform villagers into active stakeholders with ownership and leadership in managing local water supply systems.
  • Over 33,000 solar-powered water schemes have been installed in Uttar Pradesh, reducing maintenance expenses by approximately 52%.
  • Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), also known as ‘Paani Samitis’ and led by Gram Pradhans, are involved in the planning, design, and daily operations of the infrastructure.
  • The Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department is implementing the strategy to ensure long-term sustainability of the projects.
  • Water quality monitoring is conducted through district-level, state-level, and mobile NABL-accredited laboratories.
  • A Citizen Charter and an online grievance redressal system, accessible via a toll-free helpline or online portal, have been introduced to ensure service accountability.

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Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 (JJM 2.0) extended till December 2028 with enhanced outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore (Mid of March) ▼
  • Union Cabinet approved extension of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 (JJM 2.0) up to December 2028 with total outlay enhanced from ₹3.60 lakh crore to ₹8.69 lakh crore.
  • Union Minister of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched Sujal Gaon ID, a unique digital identifier for rural piped water supply schemes, creating 1.64 lakh IDs across 31 States/UTs linked to 67,000 Sujalam Bharat IDs.
  • Central fund release under JJM 2.0 is conditional upon States/UTs meeting four mandatory requirements: signing MoU, creation of Sujal Gaon IDs, timely financial reconciliation, and notification of State O&M Policies.
  • MoU commitments for States/UTs cover policy reforms, asset management, planning and financing, digital monitoring, skilling, water quality surveillance, and community engagement.
World Bank launches 'Water Forward' programme to expand global water access (Mid of April) ▼
  • The World Bank launched the "Water Forward" programme to improve secure water access for one billion people within the next four years.
  • The programme aims to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods.
  • The World Bank intends to use its funds and technical advice to improve water supplies for 400 million people by 2030.
  • Participating institutions include regional development banks, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) development fund, and the New Development Bank (NDB).
  • Fourteen countries have voluntarily committed to reform and strengthen their water sectors under the new programme.
  • Approximately four billion people, representing half of the global population, face water scarcity.
Small Hydro Power Scheme Approved with ₹2,584.60 Crore Outlay (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Union Cabinet approved a ₹2,584.60 crore scheme to support small hydro power projects for the period between the financial years 2026–27 and 2030–31.
  • The scheme targets the addition of approximately 1,500 MW of capacity through projects with individual capacities ranging from 1 MW to 25 MW.
  • For North Eastern states and districts along international borders, central financial assistance is set at up to ₹3.6 crore per MW or 30 per cent of the project cost, capped at ₹30 crore per project.
  • In other states, the government will provide financial support of up to ₹2.4 crore per MW or 20 per cent of the project cost, with a maximum cap of ₹20 crore.
  • An allocation of ₹30 crore has been earmarked for state and central agencies to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for approximately 200 projects.
  • The initiative is expected to attract an investment of around ₹15,000 crore and generate 51 lakh person-days of employment during the construction phase.
Project GANGA: High-Speed Internet for 20 Lakh Rural Households in Uttar Pradesh (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Uttar Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Transformation Commission (STC) and One OTT Entertainment Limited (OIL), a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group, to implement Project GANGA.
  • The initiative aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to over 20 lakh households in rural and semi-urban areas over the next two to three years.
  • The project is expected to generate more than 1 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities across the state.
  • Under the project, 8,000 to 10,000 local entrepreneurs at the Nyaya Panchayat level will be developed as Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
  • The government has set a target of 50% participation of women among the digital entrepreneurs to promote women-led entrepreneurship in rural areas.
  • The project will focus on providing connectivity to remote and border districts, specifically naming Shravasti, Bahraich, and Balrampur.
  • Selected DSPs will receive training, financial assistance, network infrastructure support, and access to modern technology to build digital service networks.
  • The initiative complements a scheme launched in January 2024 that provides youth with interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for entrepreneurship.

Indian Army to host 11 nations for inaugural edition of exercise Pragati in Meghalaya

[Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

  • The Indian Army is hosting the inaugural edition of the multilateral exercise 'Pragati'.
  • The exercise is being conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
  • Military delegations from 11 friendly countries are participating in the event.
  • 'Pragati' stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • The exercise aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and build mutual trust among participating nations.

Similar Coverage

India and Uzbekistan begin 7th edition of joint exercise DUSTLIK at Gurumsaray, Namangan (Mid of April) ▼
  • The 7th edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK runs from 12 to 25 April 2026 at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangan, Uzbekistan.
  • The Indian contingent totals 60 personnel: 45 from the Army (Mahar Regiment battalion) and 15 from the Indian Air Force.
  • Uzbekistan fields around 60 personnel from its Army and Air Force.
  • The exercise focuses on physical fitness, joint planning, tactical drills, and basic special arms skills in semi-mountainous terrain.
  • Key operational aspects include land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases, and seizure of enemy-held areas.
  • A 48-hour validation phase will test joint tactical drills for neutralising unlawful armed groups.
  • The previous edition was held in April 2025 at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh, Pune.
India and Kyrgyzstan to hold 13th edition of Exercise Khanjar in Assam (Start of February) ▼
  • The 13th edition of the India–Kyrgyzstan joint military exercise Khanjar will be conducted in Misamari, Assam from 4 to 17 February.
  • Exercise Khanjar, initiated in 2011, is an annual training event with venues alternating between India and Kyrgyzstan.
  • The previous edition of Exercise Khanjar was held in Kyrgyzstan in March 2025.
  • The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the special forces of India and Kyrgyzstan with focus on urban warfare and counter-terrorism under United Nations mandate.
India and United States commence 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 in Himachal Pradesh (End of February) ▼
  • The 16th edition of the bilateral Special Forces exercise, Vajra Prahar 2026, is being conducted between the Indian Army and the United States (U.S.) Army.
  • The exercise is hosted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
  • The exercise is conducted annually to enhance interoperability, operational coordination, and the exchange of advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
  • The 2026 edition focuses on counter-terrorism operations, precision strikes, intelligence-driven missions, and joint planning under simulated battlefield conditions.
  • The drill aims to strengthen the strategic partnership and enhance the capability of Special Forces to operate in diverse environments.
Indian Army conducts Exercise Agni Varsha in Pokhran (End of February) ▼
  • Exercise Agni Varsha was conducted by the Southern Command of the Indian Army in Pokhran deserts, Rajasthan.
  • The exercise featured unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-drone systems, precision strike rockets, modern artillery platforms and surveillance assets.
  • Foreign defence journalists from 25 countries witnessed the exercise.
  • The Integrated Manoeuvre Force comprised T-90 Main Battle Tanks, infantry combat vehicles, K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, Sharang and Bofors artillery systems, rocket platforms, indigenous weapon systems, Apache attack helicopters and a range of surveillance and strike drones.

United Arab Emirates to exit OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, 2026

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its withdrawal from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ effective May 1, 2026.
  • The UAE is the world's seventh-largest oil producer.
  • The decision allows the UAE to pursue its target of increasing production capacity to 5 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027.
  • The UAE had been a member of OPEC since 1967.
  • The announcement was made by the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei.

Similar Coverage

Global Residence Program Index 2026 released on 26 February 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) debuted in the top three of the Global Residence Program Index 2026, rising from fifth to joint second place.
  • Greece secured the first position in the index, while the second rank is shared by the UAE, Italy, and Switzerland.
  • The index was released by Henley and Partners and assessed 40 residence programmes based on reputation, quality of life, tax, and visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.
  • Uruguay debuted at fifth place, Saudi Arabia at ninth, and Maldives at eleventh in the 2026 rankings.
  • The UAE, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland achieved perfect reputation scores for top quality of life.
  • Tax efficiency leaders in the index include the UAE, Monaco, and Saudi Arabia.
  • Countries showing upward momentum or steady gains include Costa Rica, New Zealand, Panama, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Thailand.
  • Dr Christian H Kaelin serves as the chairman of Henley and Partners.
International Energy Agency (IEA) authorises release of 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves (Mid of March) ▼
  • The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from its members’ strategic reserves to counter soaring global energy prices.
  • This emergency collective action is significantly larger than the 182 million barrels of oil released by IEA member countries in 2022.
  • IEA member countries currently hold more than 1.2 billion barrels of emergency oil stocks and 600 million barrels of industry stocks held under government obligation.
  • The United Kingdom (UK) will contribute 13.5 million barrels of oil to the collective release.
  • South Korea has announced a contribution of 22.46 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves.
  • Germany, Austria, and Japan have also committed to releasing parts of their oil reserves following the IEA request.
  • International benchmark Brent crude oil prices surged by more than 25 percent since 28 February 2026, reaching a peak of $119 per barrel.
  • The IEA reserves were established in 1974 following the Arab oil embargo to respond to global oil supply disruptions.
India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to ink terms of reference on 5 February for starting FTA talks (Start of February) ▼
  • India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will sign terms of reference on 5 February to launch negotiations for a free trade agreement.
  • Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will preside over the signing ceremony.
  • GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
  • India already implemented a free trade pact with the UAE in May 2022.
  • India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 18 December 2025.
  • Earlier negotiations between India and GCC were held in 2006 and 2008; third round deferred.
  • India's exports to GCC rose 1% to USD 57 billion in 2024-25.
  • India's imports from GCC rose 15.33% to USD 121.7 billion in 2024-25.
  • Bilateral trade reached USD 178.7 billion in 2024-25.
  • UAE was India's third-largest trading partner in 2024-25 with a trade deficit of USD 26.76 billion.
  • Saudi Arabia was India's fifth-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 18.36 billion.
  • Qatar was India's 22nd-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 10.78 billion.
  • Oman was India's 28th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 2.48 billion.
  • Kuwait was India's 29th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 6.35 billion.
  • Bahrain was India's 65th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 45.97 million.
World Governments Summit 2026 commences in Dubai with participation from over 150 nations (Start of February) ▼
  • The World Governments Summit 2026 is being held in Dubai from 3 to 5 February under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments'.
  • More than 6,000 participants, including over 35 heads of state and government and over 500 ministers, are attending the summit.
  • Leaders confirmed to attend include King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, President Alar Karis of Estonia, and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of North Macedonia.
  • Prime Ministers of Spain, Albania, Georgia, Egypt, and Bhutan are among the heads of government participating.
  • The summit features 24 specialised global forums, more than 35 ministerial and high-level meetings, and over 320 sessions with more than 450 global figures.
  • Over 100 international and regional organisations are participating, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank, OPEC Fund, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
  • India Today anchors will moderate four sessions: 'Are Governments Building Systems or Buying Products?' on 4 February, 'Carbon Costs: Preparing for the Next Trade Barrier', 'Building The Next Economic Systems: Lessons from Emerging Market Founders', and 'Design Digital Lifestyles: From Infrastructure to Experience' on 5 February.
  • The summit will issue 36 strategic reports and present four global awards for innovation, reform, sustainability, and educational leadership.

China to grant zero-tariff treatment to African countries from May 1

[China]

Key Updates:

  • China will expand zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1.
  • From May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028, zero-tariff treatment will be granted to 20 African countries that are not classified as least developed countries.
  • The policy was announced by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.
  • The zero-tariff policy applies to a total of 53 African countries.
  • Since December 1, 2024, China has granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 per cent of tariff lines for 33 least developed African countries.
  • China is promoting the negotiation and signing of the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development.
  • Total trade between China and Africa reached USD 348 billion in 2025, with China's exports amounting to USD 225 billion and Africa's exports totalling USD 123 billion.

Similar Coverage

Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) launched on 13 March 2026 to boost bilateral trade and investment (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Asia-Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) was formally launched by diplomats and agribusiness leaders from over ten nations to accelerate agricultural trade, investment, and technology transfer.
  • The AAAA is established as a neutral, not-for-profit Section 8 institution to bridge gaps through investment-ready and policy-aligned mechanisms.
  • The alliance operates on five pillars: trade and market access, technology and innovation transfer, investment and finance, policy and agriculture diplomacy, and capacity building.
  • The forum will specifically focus on maize and millets as they are major crops in both the Asian and African regions.
  • Asia and Africa together account for over 40 per cent of global agricultural production, with bilateral agri-trade exceeding $90 billion annually.
  • Africa holds 65 per cent of the world's remaining arable land, and its agricultural sector is projected to reach a market value of $1 trillion by 2030.
  • Key Indian representatives include Ashok Dalwai, Chairman of the Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission and former CEO of the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA).
  • Participating industrialists include Atul Chaturvedi of Shree Renuka Sugars Limited and Sanjeev Asthana, CEO of Patanjali Foods Limited and President of the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA).
Commerce Ministry data shows China overtakes US as India's largest trading partner in FY26 (Mid of April) ▼
  • Bilateral trade between India and China reached USD 151.1 billion in FY26.
  • India's trade deficit with China widened to USD 112.16 billion in FY26.
  • The United States was India's largest trading partner for four consecutive years until FY25.
  • India's exports to China rose 36.66 per cent to USD 19.47 billion in FY26.
  • India's imports from China increased 16 per cent to USD 131.63 billion in FY26.
  • The trade deficit with China swelled to an all-time high of USD 112.6 billion in FY26, up from USD 99.2 billion in FY25.
  • India's outbound shipments to the United States grew 0.92 per cent to USD 87.3 billion in FY26.
  • India's imports from the United States increased 15.95 per cent to USD 52.9 billion in FY26.
  • India's trade surplus declined to USD 34.4 billion in FY26 from USD 40.89 billion in FY25.
  • China was India's top trading partner from FY13-14 to FY17-18 and again in FY20-21.
  • Before China, the United Arab Emirates was India's largest trading partner.
  • The United States has been India's largest partner since FY21-22.
  • Negative export growth in FY26 was recorded with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Australia, France, South Africa and Malaysia.
  • Positive export growth in FY26 was recorded with the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Nepal, Brazil, Spain, Belgium and Vietnam.
  • Negative import growth in FY26 was recorded with Russia, Iraq, Indonesia, Australia, Qatar and Taiwan.
  • Positive import growth in FY26 was recorded with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Germany, Thailand and Malaysia.
World Trade Organization forecasts global trade growth to slow to 1.4-1.9% in 2026 amid Middle East conflict risks (End of March) ▼
  • 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.
World Trade Organization (WTO) to hold 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon from March 26 to 29, 2026 (End of March) ▼
  • 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.

Bangladesh begins fuel loading at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on 28 April 2026

[Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

  • Bangladesh began loading uranium fuel into the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant on 28 April 2026.
  • The nuclear power station has a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts (MW).
  • The construction of the $11 billion plant commenced in 2017.
  • The plant is expected to meet up to 10 per cent of the power demands of Bangladesh.
  • Initial power generation of approximately 300 MW is targeted for August, with full production expected in late 2027.

Similar Coverage

India's 100 GW Nuclear Power Roadmap targets 100 GW capacity by 2047 (Mid of April) ▼
  • India has set a target to scale up its nuclear power capacity from the current 8.8 gigawatt (GW) to 100 GW by 2047.
  • Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad announced the roadmap during an inaugural session held in New Delhi.
  • The roadmap identifies necessary legislative changes, including the Shanti Act which has already been enacted to facilitate the expansion.
  • The government aims to increase the number of players in the nuclear sector from a single company to approximately 10-12 companies.
  • The strategy focuses on standardising processes and shortening procedures to reduce tariffs and ensure fuel security.
  • The planned capacity addition will primarily come from new nuclear plants, incorporating emerging technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
  • State governments are being encouraged to identify and provide land for the development of upcoming nuclear power projects.
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.
White House Establishes National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power (Mid of April) ▼
  • The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has launched the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power to deploy reactors in orbit and on the moon.
  • The initiative sets a target to launch a lunar surface reactor by 2030 and begin orbital deployments as early as 2028.
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is tasked with leading the development of mid-power space reactors for lunar power and nuclear electric propulsion.
  • The Department of War (DoW) is directed to deploy a mission-ready reactor for national security use cases by 2031.
  • The OSTP has assumed the role of central integrator for coordinating federal space policy following the revocation of the National Space Council.
  • The Department of Energy (DoE) will collaborate with NASA and DoW to leverage national laboratories and existing infrastructure for reactor development.
  • The initiative prioritises milestone-based contracting and competitive design efforts with multiple commercial vendors to reduce costs and technical risks.
  • The long-term objective includes scaling to higher-power systems in the 2030s to support advanced space exploration and commercial activity.
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.

Indian Army to host inaugural edition of multilateral exercise 'Pragati' in Meghalaya

[ Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

  • The Indian Army is hosting the inaugural edition of the multilateral exercise 'Pragati'.
  • The exercise is being conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
  • Military delegations from 11 friendly countries are participating in the exercise.
  • 'Pragati' stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • The exercise aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and build mutual trust among participating nations.
  • Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Upendra Dwivedi visited his alma mater, Sainik School Rewa.

Similar Coverage

India and Uzbekistan begin 7th edition of joint exercise DUSTLIK at Gurumsaray, Namangan (Mid of April) ▼
  • The 7th edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK runs from 12 to 25 April 2026 at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangan, Uzbekistan.
  • The Indian contingent totals 60 personnel: 45 from the Army (Mahar Regiment battalion) and 15 from the Indian Air Force.
  • Uzbekistan fields around 60 personnel from its Army and Air Force.
  • The exercise focuses on physical fitness, joint planning, tactical drills, and basic special arms skills in semi-mountainous terrain.
  • Key operational aspects include land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases, and seizure of enemy-held areas.
  • A 48-hour validation phase will test joint tactical drills for neutralising unlawful armed groups.
  • The previous edition was held in April 2025 at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh, Pune.
Indian Armed Forces conduct simultaneous military exercises including Vajra Prahar, Dharma Guardian, Kalari Leap, and Vayu Shakti in February 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • The 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar commenced on 24 February at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, involving 45 Indian Special Forces and 12 United States (US) Army Green Berets.
  • The 7th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 is being held between the Indian Army and the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, until 9 March.
  • Exercise Kalari Leap, a joint maritime drill involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) Southern Air Command, Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), and Indian Coast Guard (ICG), was conducted across the Lakshadweep and Minicoy archipelago.
  • Platforms deployed in Exercise Kalari Leap included An-32 transport aircraft, Mi-17V5 helicopters, Su-30MKI fighter jets, ICG ships, Gemini boats, and Dornier 228 aircraft.
  • The IAF is scheduled to conduct its annual firepower demonstration, Exercise Vayu Shakti, on 27 February at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan.
  • President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to attend Exercise Vayu Shakti and fly in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police conduct joint exercise Agni Pariksha in Arunachal Pradesh (Start of February) ▼
  • The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) conducted a six-day joint training exercise named Agni Pariksha from 19 to 24 January.
  • The exercise was held at Sigar in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh to enhance inter-force combat synergy and operational integration.
  • Spearhead gunners under the Spear Corps led the training for personnel from infantry regiments and the ITBP.
  • The primary objective of the exercise was to familiarise non-artillery personnel with artillery procedures, coordination mechanisms, and the execution of firing missions.
  • Infantry and ITBP personnel were trained to independently conduct multiple artillery firing drills under the supervision of experienced gunners.
  • The initiative represents the first phase of a collaborative firepower training programme aimed at developing integrated combat capabilities for future battlefields.
India and Japan Commence 7th Edition of Dharma Guardian Exercise in Uttarakhand (End of February) ▼
  • The 7th edition of the annual India–Japan Joint Military Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, in Uttarakhand.
  • The two-week exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 24 February to 9 March 2026.
  • The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is represented in the exercise by 120 personnel from the 32nd Infantry Regiment.
  • The Indian Army contingent comprises 120 personnel drawn from the Ladakh Scouts.
  • The exercise is designed to enhance combined operational capabilities in semi-urban terrain and integrate modern military technologies.
  • Tactical activities include establishing a Temporary Operating Base (TOB) and developing an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) grid.
  • Participating forces will conduct Mobile Vehicle Check Posts, Cordon and Search Operations, Heliborne Operations, and House Intervention Drills.
  • The exercise is conducted alternately in India and Japan as a key pillar of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership framework.

Jordan joins India-led ISA, CDRI and GBA on April 27, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Jordan confirmed its membership in three India-led global initiatives: International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA).
  • The formal membership documents were handed over by the Ambassador of Jordan to India, Yousef Abdelghani, to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (South), Neena Malhotra, in New Delhi.
  • On April 20, South Korea joined the ISA and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
  • India and South Korea decided to elevate their bilateral relationship to a futuristic partnership.
  • The ISA is a platform to accelerate solar deployment and support the global transition to sustainable energy systems, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Similar Coverage

Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) Scheme Expanded to Include Egypt and Jordan (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Government of India expanded the list of eligible destinations under the Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme to support exporters during the West Asia crisis.
  • Egypt and Jordan have been added to the list of eligible countries for shipments meant for delivery or transhipment under the RELIEF framework.
  • The Ministry of Commerce launched the scheme on 19 March with a total budget outlay of ₹497 crore.
  • The RELIEF scheme is designed to assist Indian exporters facing logistics disruptions and export challenges due to regional conflicts.
India and UAE to co-chair 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi (End of January) ▼
  • The 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in New Delhi on Saturday, co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  • Foreign ministers of 20 Arab League member states and the Arab League Secretary-General will participate in the meeting.
  • The first India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place in Bahrain in 2016, and the current meeting occurs after a 10-year gap.
  • The 2016 meeting identified five priority cooperation verticals: economy, energy, education, media and culture.
  • Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin urged increased Indian participation in Gaza reconstruction and continued support to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees.
  • India has supported Palestinian education through schools in the West Bank and higher education centres in Gaza, some of which were destroyed in the last two years.
  • The Gaza peace plan and regional peace and stability are expected agenda items at the meeting.
World Bank Group and India launch Country Partnership Framework with USD 8-10 billion annual financing (Start of February) ▼
  • 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.
India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to ink terms of reference on 5 February for starting FTA talks (Start of February) ▼
  • India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will sign terms of reference on 5 February to launch negotiations for a free trade agreement.
  • Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will preside over the signing ceremony.
  • GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
  • India already implemented a free trade pact with the UAE in May 2022.
  • India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 18 December 2025.
  • Earlier negotiations between India and GCC were held in 2006 and 2008; third round deferred.
  • India's exports to GCC rose 1% to USD 57 billion in 2024-25.
  • India's imports from GCC rose 15.33% to USD 121.7 billion in 2024-25.
  • Bilateral trade reached USD 178.7 billion in 2024-25.
  • UAE was India's third-largest trading partner in 2024-25 with a trade deficit of USD 26.76 billion.
  • Saudi Arabia was India's fifth-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 18.36 billion.
  • Qatar was India's 22nd-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 10.78 billion.
  • Oman was India's 28th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 2.48 billion.
  • Kuwait was India's 29th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 6.35 billion.
  • Bahrain was India's 65th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 45.97 million.

India and Kenya hold 10th Joint Trade Committee meeting in Nairobi on April 27-28, 2026

Key Updates:

  • India and Kenya held the 10th session of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) in Nairobi on April 27-28, 2026.
  • The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Akotah Ombam.
  • Bilateral trade between India and Kenya reached $4.31 billion in 2025-26, representing a 24.91 per cent increase from $3.45 billion in the previous fiscal.
  • An MoU was signed between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to strengthen standardisation and conformity assessment.
  • The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and Kenya Revenue Authority signed an MoU for the exchange of pre-arrival customs information to streamline customs procedures.
  • The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the India Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an agreement to promote trade, investment, and industrial collaboration.
  • Both nations explored trade settlement in local currencies through Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) and a Local Currency Settlement mechanism.
  • India provided support for Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway through rolling stock supply, project management, and feasibility studies.
  • Kenya indicated its intention to sign the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement.
  • Digital cooperation discussions focused on Bharat Connect and UPI-like payment systems to enhance financial inclusion.
  • India offered training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme in education, earth sciences, healthcare, and mining.
  • Student mobility was discussed under the Study in India initiative.

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Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry sign MoU to strengthen bilateral trade (End of March) ▼
  • Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) signed an MoU on 25 March 2026 to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
  • CCCI becomes the second Indian chamber and the first in South India to sign an MoU with LCCI.
  • Saurabh Pramod Shah, Indian Representative to Latvia, highlighted opportunities for Indian businesses in Latvia’s pharmaceuticals, education and wood industry sectors.
  • India’s current exports to Latvia include rubber, chemicals and vegetables.
  • Latvia, an EU and NATO member, offers access to a 450 million-strong European consumer base.
India and Bhutan hold 7th Joint Group of Customs meeting in Munnar, Kerala on 20th-21st April 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • The 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting between India and Bhutan was held on 20th–21st April 2026 in Munnar, Kerala.
  • The meeting was co-chaired by Yogendra Garg, Special Secretary and Member (Customs) of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, Director General of the Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan.
  • India is the largest trading partner of Bhutan, accounting for nearly 80% of Bhutan's total trade.
  • Bilateral trade between the two nations exceeded $1.9 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting a growth of over 46% compared to the previous financial year.
  • There are 10 notified land customs stations along the India–Bhutan border, located in West Bengal (6) and Assam (4).
  • Priority areas discussed included Coordinated Border Management (CBM), digitization of customs processes, and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) for transit cargo movement.
  • The sides discussed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on pre-arrival exchange of customs data and the strengthening of anti-smuggling mechanisms through intelligence sharing.
  • The Bhutanese delegation visited the Kochi Port to review import and export procedures, maritime enforcement, and the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
  • The engagement is conducted under the framework of the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit.
India and Republic of Korea (ROK) target $50 billion bilateral trade by 2030 (End of April) ▼
  • India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) aim to increase bilateral trade from $27 billion to $50 billion by 2030.
  • The two nations decided to upgrade the India-Korea trade agreement by next year.
  • An India-Korea financial forum, an industrial cooperation committee, and an economic security dialogue focused on critical technologies and supply chains will be launched.
  • The India-Korea digital bridge was launched to deepen partnerships in Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and information technology.
  • A Korean industrial township will be established to facilitate the entry of Korean Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into India.
  • The ROK formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
  • India signed to join the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
  • A comprehensive framework for partnership in shipbuilding, shipping, and maritime logistics was signed.
  • Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for cooperation in the field of ports and for technology and trade for steel supply chains.
  • The two leaders agreed to hold leader-level meetings annually.
  • Meetings of joint commissions led by foreign, finance, and science and technology ministers will be held this year.
CBIC launches SWIFT 2.0 single-window platform and revamped Atithi app (End of February) ▼
  • The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will launch SWIFT 2.0, a single-window platform for digital clearance of exports and imports.
  • Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary will preside over the launch on International Customs Day 2026.
  • The revamped Atithi app will be released to help international passengers clear baggage from customs on arrival in India.
  • CBIC will also release the Digital Travellers Guide and the SWIFT 2.0 Booklet during the event.
  • The theme for International Customs Day 2026 is 'Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment'.

Sigma Advanced Systems secures ₹3,800 crore aerospace parts contract from Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc

[Sigma Advanced Systems]

Key Updates:

  • Hyderabad-based Sigma Advanced Systems has secured a ₹3,800 crore order from Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc to supply aerospace parts.
  • The contract will be executed over the next seven years.
  • Sigma Advanced Systems will supply high-precision-engineered, safety-critical components and assemblies for Rolls-Royce's aerospace programmes.
  • Deliveries will be made through the company's manufacturing network across India and the United Kingdom (UK).
  • Sunil Kumar Kalidindi is the chief executive at Sigma Advanced Systems.

Similar Coverage

TVS Supply Chain Solutions and ALA Group sign MoU to target India’s $28 billion aerospace and defence market (End of February) ▼
  • TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) signed an MoU with Italy-based ALA Group to jointly pursue opportunities in India’s aerospace and defence supply chain sector.
  • India’s aerospace and defence market is estimated at around $28 billion.
  • TVS SCS will leverage its domestic presence and UK defence experience; its aerospace, defence and utilities business generates approximately $140 million in annual revenue.
  • ALA Group reported revenues of $345 million in 2024 and will contribute aerospace and defence domain expertise, global technology platforms and OEM relationships across Europe, the US and the UK.
  • The partnership will focus on integrated production and aftermarket services including production support, spare parts distribution, inventory optimisation, defence-grade logistics, logistics engineering, and MRO support.
Airbus inaugurates Centre of Excellence for aerospace research at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Vadodara (Start of February) ▼
  • Airbus has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat.
  • The CoE will focus on Research and Development (R&D) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and supporting student-led innovations in future aerospace technologies.
  • A key objective of the centre is to develop groundbreaking technologies that transform Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
  • The partnership includes a full scholarship programme for 45 meritorious and underprivileged students, with one-third of these scholarships reserved for women.
  • Airbus has established a Chair Professor for Aerospace Studies at GSV to support undergraduate, postgraduate, and short-term executive programmes.
  • GSV was established as a Central University by an Act of Parliament in 2022 to cover the entire transportation sector, including Railways, Aviation, Highways, Ports, and Maritime.
  • The university is headed by Chancellor Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is the Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology.
Defence Ministry signs Rs 5,083 crore contracts for ALH Mk-III helicopters and Shtil missiles (Start of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch - Shtil missiles.
  • The ALH Mk-III contract valued at Rs 2,901 crore was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
  • The helicopters include operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support for the Indian Coast Guard.
  • The Shtil missile contract valued at Rs 2,182 crore was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russian Federation.
  • The acquisition aims to enhance the Indian Navy's layered air defence and the Indian Coast Guard's maritime security capabilities.
India signs Rs 1,950 crore deal with Bharat Electronics Limited for two mountain radars for Indian Air Force (Start of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,950 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of two mountain radars and associated infrastructure for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The mountain radar is indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The radars will be manufactured by BEL and their installation will enhance India’s air defence and reduce dependence on foreign equipment.

Finland Launches Europe's First Integrated Lithium Mining and Refining Project

[Finland]

Key Updates:

  • The Keliber project in western Finland is the first in Europe to integrate the entire lithium production chain, including the mine, concentrator, and refinery, within 43 kilometres.
  • The project features the Syvajarvi open-pit mine located in the municipality of Kaustinen and a refinery situated near the port of Kokkola.
  • The project, costing approximately 783-million euro ($920-million), produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide from spodumene ore.
  • The refinery is estimated to produce 15,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually, which accounts for around 10 percent of Europe's demand.
  • The Keliber project covers more than 500 square kilometres and includes the Syvajarvi mine and six other planned mining sites.
  • The project is owned by Sibanye-Stillwater (nearly 80 percent) and the state-owned Finnish Minerals Group (20 percent), with a small share held by Finnish shareholders.
  • Bo Langbacka of the Geological Survey of Finland (GSF) stated that Finland's bedrock contains some of the largest lithium reserves in Europe.

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Finland develops Onkalo, the world's first permanent nuclear waste repository (End of April) ▼
  • 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.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves ₹40,175.33 crore for Kamala and Kalai-II Hydropower Projects in Arunachal Pradesh (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a total investment of ₹40,175.33 crore for the construction of two hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The 1,720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project (HEP) will be developed in Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Kurung Kumey districts with an outlay of ₹26,069.50 crore.
  • The Kamala HEP will be implemented through a joint venture between NHPC Ltd (NHPC) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The 1,200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project will be developed on the Lohit river in Anjaw district with an outlay of ₹14,105.83 crore.
  • The Kalai-II project will be developed through a joint venture between THDC India Ltd (THDC) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The Government of India will provide central financial assistance of ₹750 crore towards the state’s equity share for each of the two projects.
  • Arunachal Pradesh will receive 12 per cent free power from both projects along with an additional 1 per cent for the Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
  • The Kamala HEP is expected to generate 6,870 million units (MU) of energy, while the Kalai-II project is expected to generate 4,852.95 MU annually.
  • Other hydropower projects being developed by NHPC in the region include Subansiri Lower (2,000 MW), Dibang Multipurpose (2,880 MW), and Etalin (3,097 MW).
Himadri Speciality Chemical Commissions Anode Material Facility in Bengal (End of April) ▼
  • Himadri Speciality Chemical has commissioned its first anode material production facility at Mahistikry in Bengal to enter the lithium-ion battery value chain.
  • The facility produces raw materials for lithium-ion cells and was developed through 14 years of in-house research.
  • The company commissioned a 70,000-MTPA speciality carbon black line at Mahistikry, making it the world's largest single-location speciality carbon black facility.
  • The total carbon black capacity of the company has reached 250,000 MTPA, which includes 130,000 MTPA of speciality carbon black.
  • For the year ended March 31, the company reported a net profit of ₹755 crore, marking a 36% increase.
Rocklink India Establishes Lithium-ion Battery and Rare Earth Recycling Facility in Uttar Pradesh (End of April) ▼
  • 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.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Include Civilians in Astronaut Cadre

Key Updates:

  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) committee on astronaut selection and management has recommended including four civilian specialists from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds in the second batch of astronauts.
  • The second batch of astronauts will consist of 10 members, comprising four civilian specialists and six mission pilots from military aviation backgrounds.
  • The first batch of four astronauts, all Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots, includes Air Commodore Prashanth B Nair, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, and Gp Capt Angad Prathap.
  • Civilian astronauts are scheduled to join mission crews starting from the fourth crewed Gaganyaan mission.
  • The proposed third batch will consist of 12 astronauts, including two mission pilots and 10 specialists.
  • ISRO has proposed a total astronaut cadre strength of up to 40.
  • From the seventh crewed mission, the crew size is proposed to increase from two to three astronauts to support the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
  • The readiness target for the second batch is 72 months and for the third batch is 96 months.
  • A full astronaut turnaround cycle, including selection, training, and mission preparation, is estimated at 4.5 years.
  • The agency is developing environment control and life support systems (ECLSS) for its missions.

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completes second integrated air drop test for Gaganyaan crew module (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out the second integrated air drop test (IADT-02) for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The test focused on validating the recovery mechanism of the crew module, ensuring safe astronaut return during re-entry and landing.
  • Union Minister Jitendra Singh congratulated ISRO on the achievement, noting Gaganyaan is scheduled for next year.
  • The first integrated air drop test was conducted on 24 August 2025 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
  • During the first test, a 4.8-tonne dummy crew module was dropped from a Chinook helicopter at an altitude of three kilometres and descended safely via a parachute system of 10 parachutes.
ISRO Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) begins Mission Mitra high-altitude astronaut test in Ladakh (Start of April) ▼
  • Mission Mitra, run by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), is a high-altitude test in Ladakh that simulates deep-space harshness through freezing temperatures, low oxygen and isolation.
  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and P Balakrishnan Nair, along with two other Gaganyaan astronauts, arrived in Leh this week for acclimatisation before the exercise.
  • The programme name stands for Mapping of Interoperable Traits & Reliability Assessment and focuses on psychological and behavioural strengths rather than technology drills.
  • Scientists, engineers, doctors and psychologists support the crew during the rugged simulation that tracks stress resilience to cold, hypoxia and isolation in real time.
  • Delayed communications between Ladakh crews and support teams replicate deep-space limits and aim to boost future missions with longer orbits.
International Day of Human Space Flight observed on April 12 (Mid of April) ▼
  • The International Day of Human Space Flight is observed annually on April 12 to commemorate the beginning of the space era for mankind.
  • Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human in space on April 12, 1961, completing a 108-minute mission aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft.
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially declared April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight in 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first flight.
  • Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first woman in space on June 16, 1963, aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft.
  • Gherman Titov holds the record for the youngest professional astronaut, having travelled to space at the age of 25 aboard Vostok 2.
  • Oliver Daemen from the Netherlands became the youngest space tourist at age 18 during a Blue Origin flight on July 20, 2021.
  • China has completed its Tiangong space station, which includes the Tianhe core module and two laboratory modules named Wentian and Mengtian.
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis II mission is a crewed flyby carrying Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen around the Moon.
  • NASA astronauts use an emergency propulsion unit called Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue (SAFER) to return to the station if they become untethered during spacewalks.
  • According to 2024 pay schedules, NASA astronauts earn an annual salary of $152,258, while European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts earn between €5,500 and €7,900 monthly.
China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) Selects Pakistani Astronauts for Tiangong Space Station (End of April) ▼
  • The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) selected Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud as the first foreign reserve astronauts for space mission training.
  • One of the selected candidates will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist on board the Tiangong space station.
  • The Tiangong space station currently orbits approximately 400 km above the Earth and has been in orbit for nearly five years.
  • The agreement for the mission was signed between the CMSA and Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in February last year.
  • The Tiangong space station was developed by China after its reported exclusion from the International Space Station (ISS).

France Unveils Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuels by 2050

[France]

Key Updates:

  • France announced a roadmap to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050 for energy purposes.
  • The plan was unveiled during a global conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, which was co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.
  • France aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% per year over the 2024-2028 period.
  • The roadmap includes commitments to phase out fossil fuel production and electrify sectors such as heating and transport.
  • The Santa Marta conference was established after a proposal for a global fossil fuel roadmap was blocked at the COP30 climate summit in November.
  • Nearly 60 nations attended the conference, including the European Union (EU), Canada, Norway, Angola, Nigeria, and Tuvalu.

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UCLA Stop Methane Project identifies mega methane leaks from oil, gas and waste sites as major global warming driver (End of March) ▼
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers analysed Carbon Mapper satellite data and detected about 4,400 significant methane plumes in 2025, each releasing more than 100 kilograms per hour.
  • Major leak hotspots are concentrated in Turkmenistan, the United States, Venezuela and Iran, with nine of the 10 largest US leaks found in Texas.
  • One recorded leak released roughly 5.5 tonnes of methane per hour, an emission level comparable to that from about one million vehicles.
  • Methane accounts for approximately a quarter of current global warming, and cutting these leaks could deliver fast climate benefits while providing time for longer-term clean energy transitions.
UN issues first carbon credits under Paris Agreement for Myanmar clean-cooking project (Start of March) ▼
  • The United Nations (UN) has approved the first credits under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM).
  • The credited project is a clean cooking initiative in Myanmar that distributes efficient biomass cookstoves, implemented with a South Korean company.
  • Generated credits will count towards the climate targets of South Korea and Myanmar.
  • UN Climate Change states the credited emissions reductions are 40 percent lower than under the previous scheme due to more conservative calculations.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over two billion people globally use open fires or inefficient stoves fuelled by kerosene, coal, or biomass.
  • Only 78 percent of the global population is expected to have access to clean cooking by 2030 at current rates.
Union Cabinet approves India’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) with 60% clean energy share and 47% emissions intensity cut (End of March) ▼
  • The Union Cabinet approved India’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • The NDC targets raising the share of non-fossil fuel sources to 60% of total electricity generation capacity by 2035.
  • It aims to reduce the emissions intensity of India’s economy by 47% from 2005 levels by 2035.
  • It seeks to increase India’s nature-based carbon sink to 3.5–4.0 billion tons by 2035.
  • The Cabinet considered the first Global Stocktake (GST), the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), and equity while finalising the targets.
  • Non-fossil fuels already account for 52% of India’s electricity generation capacity and emissions intensity is 36% below 2005 levels.
  • The NDC lists eight goals including climate-resilient infrastructure, clean economic development, Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), green finance, and capacity building & innovation.
  • The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Carbon Brief reported India’s CO₂ emissions grew only 0.7% in 2025, the lowest in two decades.
  • Clean energy subsidies have driven a fivefold rise in renewable energy capacity since 2014.
  • The Central Electricity Authority has set a domestic target of 70% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2035.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports 65-year peak in Earth energy imbalance (End of March) ▼
  • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of the Climate 2025 report, revealing that Earth’s energy imbalance has reached its highest level in at least 65 years.
  • Approximately 91 per cent of excess energy is absorbed by the oceans, while 5 per cent warms the land, 3 per cent melts ice, and 1 per cent heats the atmosphere.
  • Carbon dioxide levels in 2024 reached a 2-million-year high, while methane and nitrous oxide concentrations are at their highest in 800,000 years.
  • Global sea levels by the end of 2025 were 11 centimetres higher than in 1993, with the rate of rise increasing from 2.65 mm per year (1993-2011) to 4.75 mm per year (2012-2025).
  • The global mean temperature in 2025 was approximately 1.43°C above the pre-industrial baseline of 1850-1900, while 2024 remains the warmest on record at 1.55°C above the baseline.
  • Ocean surface pH levels have declined to their lowest in at least 26,000 years, with significant acidification observed in the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
  • Around 1.2 billion people, representing more than one-third of the global workforce, are exposed to extreme heat annually, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors.
  • The report indicates that rising emissions threaten United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 14, and SDG 15.

University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India (SII) Partner to Develop R78C Malaria Vaccine

[University of Oxford, Serum Institute of India]

Key Updates:

  • The University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India (SII) have signed a licence agreement to develop and manufacture a multi-stage malaria vaccine candidate called R78C.
  • The R78C vaccine candidate is based on two Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigens, RIPR and CyPRA.
  • SII, a Cyrus Poonawalla group company, will support the continued development, large-scale manufacture, and potential future commercialisation of the vaccine.
  • The collaboration aims to provide affordable and equitable access to the vaccine for endemic regions and low and middle-income countries.
  • SII has entered into a related agreement with ExpreS2ion to access its proprietary ExpreS2 expression platform for the clinical-stage production of R78C and RH5.1 vaccine components.

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World Malaria Day observed on April 24, 2026 with theme “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must” (End of April) ▼
  • World Malaria Day 2026 is observed on April 24.
  • The theme for World Malaria Day 2026 is “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must”.
  • Dr. Regina Rabinovich is the Director of the Malaria Elimination Initiative at ISGLOBAL at the University of Barcelona.
  • The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has launched the Defeating Malaria: From the Genes to the Globe Initiative.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Approves First Malaria Treatment for Newborns (End of April) ▼
  • 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.
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.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) adds 12 new Global Geoparks

Key Updates:

  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) added 12 new sites to its Global Geoparks network.
  • The total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks has reached 241 across 51 countries, covering more than 8.82 lakh sq km worldwide.
  • The new geoparks in China are Changshan and Mt. Siguniang.
  • The new geoparks in Malaysia are Lenggong and Sarawak Delta.
  • Other newly designated sites include Terres d'Hérault (France), Nisyros (Greece), Joyce Country and Western Lakes (Ireland), and Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau (Japan).
  • Additional new sites include Algarvensis (Portugal), Toratau (Russia), Dahar (Tunisia), and Manantiales Serranos (Uruguay).

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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Releases People and Nature Report (End of April) ▼
  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released the People and Nature Report, the first assessment covering World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks.
  • The report assesses a network of more than 2,260 sites spanning over 13 million square kilometres.
  • Nearly 90% of UNESCO-designated sites are currently experiencing high levels of environmental stress.
  • Climate change has impacted 98% of sites since 2000, with extreme heat identified as the most widespread hazard.
  • Wildfires have emerged as the primary driver of forest change in World Heritage sites, contributing to the loss of over 300,000 sq km of tree cover since 2000.
  • Invasive species have been recorded in more than 80% of UNESCO-designated sites.
  • More than a quarter of these sites could reach critical, potentially irreversible tipping points by 2050.
  • Glacier loss in UNESCO sites has exceeded 2,500 gigatonnes of ice since 2000, with mountain glaciers losing around 9% of their volume.
  • More than 300 World Heritage sites are facing chronic water stress.
  • These sites are home to more than 60% of globally mapped species, with approximately 40% being endemic to these areas.
  • UNESCO sites support nearly one-third of the remaining populations of elephants, tigers, and pandas, as well as critically endangered species including the vaquita, Javan rhino, and pink iguana.
  • The sites absorb nearly 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and store an estimated 240 gigatonnes of carbon in soils and sediments.
  • UNESCO-designated sites support the livelihoods of nearly 900 million people and contribute close to 10% of global GDP.
  • The UNESCO initiative Women for Bees supports sustainable beekeeping in India's Western Ghats.
International Day for Monuments and Sites observed on April 18 (End of April) ▼
  • The International Day for Monuments and Sites, also referred to as World Heritage Day, is observed on April 18.
  • The observance was first proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) during a symposium in Tunisia on April 18, 1982.
  • The General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the proposal in 1983 during its 22nd session.
  • The date April 18 marks the anniversary of the Second International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments held in Venice in 1964.
  • The Venice Charter, which established fundamental international principles for the conservation and restoration of monuments and sites, was adopted during the 1964 Venice congress.
  • The event is supported by national committees in over 100 countries.
Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launches biodiversity conservation project in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya (End of April) ▼
  • The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in partnership with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), launched a five-year project titled Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments.
  • The project is a joint initiative of the Government of India, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a grant of $4.88 million for 2025-30.
  • In Tamil Nadu, the programme covers the Sathyamangalam landscape, including the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
  • In Meghalaya, the project covers the Garo Hills, including the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Balpakram National Park, and Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Conservation efforts will be integrated into Village Employment Councils (VECs), which are equivalent to gram panchayats.
  • Key objectives include strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and Biodiversity Management Committees by mainstreaming biodiversity in local developmental plans.
  • The project aims to promote innovative financing through Access and Benefit Sharing (ACS) arrangements, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) co-financing, and green micro-enterprises.
  • The initiative focuses on advancing the economic and governance roles of women, scheduled caste, and tribal communities through knowledge management and capacity building.
India submits first Nagoya Protocol implementation report to Convention on Biological Diversity (Mid of March) ▼
  • India filed its first national report on Nagoya Protocol implementation with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 27 February 2026.
  • The report covers implementation from 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025 and fulfills monitoring obligations under Article 29 of the protocol.
  • India’s access and benefit sharing framework operates under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, supported by the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, and the Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2025.
  • More than 276,653 Biodiversity Management Committees have been established nationwide to support biodiversity governance and benefit sharing with local communities.
  • Between 2017 and 2025, India issued 12,830 approvals under its access and benefit sharing framework, with 5,913 granted by the National Biodiversity Authority and 6,917 by State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils.
  • India published 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance on the Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing-House, representing over 60 percent of the global total under the Nagoya Protocol.
  • The National Biodiversity Authority mobilised ₹216.31 crore and distributed ₹139.69 crore to benefit claimers including Biodiversity Management Committees, farmers, local communities, and holders of traditional knowledge.
  • State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils generated ₹51.96 crore through approvals granted to Indian entities.
  • Non-monetary outcomes under 395 approvals included training, technology transfer, collaborative research, and capacity-building initiatives.
  • The National Biodiversity Authority received 41 declarations in Form 10 related to the use of foreign biological resources under Rule 18 of the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, and Section 36A of the Biological Diversity Act.
  • A total of 256,393 individuals participated in 3,724 workshops and programmes, with over 600 additional initiatives supporting biodiversity governance across the country.

India wins four gold medals at Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships

Key Updates:

  • India secured four gold medals at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships and the Universal Cup (Senior) held in Apia, Samoa.
  • Sunil Singh won gold in the 65kg men's category with a total lift of 271kg (126kg snatch and 145kg clean and jerk).
  • Aisangfa Gogoi won gold in the 58kg women's category with a total lift of 185kg (79kg snatch and 106kg clean and jerk).
  • Abhinob Gogoi won gold in the 71kg men's division with a total lift of 284kg (129kg snatch and 155kg clean and jerk).
  • Charu Pesi from Arunachal Pradesh won gold in the men's 6kg category at the Universal Cup with a total lift of 289kg (127kg snatch and 162kg clean and jerk).
  • Sahdev Yadav is the president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

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Chandrika Pujari wins gold at World Boxing Futures Cup (Mid of March) ▼
  • India concluded the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok with a total of five medals, including one gold, three silver, and one bronze.
  • Chandrika Pujari won the gold medal in the women’s 51 kg category by defeating Uzbekistan’s Mardonova Nazokat with a unanimous decision.
  • Gunjan (48 kg) and Joyshree Devi (54 kg) secured silver medals after losing their respective final matches to boxers from England and the United States.
  • L. Ambekar Meetei earned a silver medal in the men’s 50 kg category after losing the final bout to an opponent from Ukraine.
  • Radhamani Longjam secured a bronze medal for India in the 57 kg weight category.
Meenakshi Goyat bags silver; Sujeet, Abhimanyou, Sandeep enter gold medal bouts (Mid of April) ▼
  • Meenakshi Goyat added a third silver to India’s tally in the women’s 53kg category at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships.
  • Meenakshi lost 0-10 against China’s Jin Zhang in the 53-kg final, an Olympic Games weight classification.
  • Monika defeated Hanbit Lee of South Korea 9-0 to win bronze in the women’s 65kg category.
  • Harshita defeated Sevinchoy Polvonova 5-0 to win bronze in the women’s 72kg category.
  • India’s overall medals tally stands at three silver and seven bronze medals.
  • Sujeet (65kg) defeated Abdulmazhid Kudiev of Tajikistan 7-2 in the semi-final and will face Umidjon Jalolov of Uzbekistan in the final.
  • Abhimanyou (70kg) defeated defending champion Ernazar Akmataliev of Kyrgyzstan 6-3 and will face Tumur Ochir of Mongolia in the final.
  • Sandeep Mann (79kg) defeated Somonjon Ikromov of Tajikistan 10-0 in the semi-final and will face Japan’s Keyvan Gharehdaghi in the gold medal bout.
  • Vicky will contest for bronze in the 97kg category after losing 0-2 to Amirali Azarpira of Iran in the semi-final.
  • Ankush will challenge Fuga Sasaki of Japan for bronze in the men’s 57kg freestyle.
Esha Singh claims India’s maiden gold at Asian rifle and pistol championship (Mid of February) ▼
  • Esha Singh won the 10m air pistol women’s final at the Asian rifle and pistol championship held in New Delhi.
  • India secured gold in the women’s 10m air pistol team event.
  • Samrat Rana won individual bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol event.
  • Indian men’s air pistol team of Samrat Rana, Sharvan Kumar and Varun Tomar secured team silver.
  • Vladimir Svechnikov of Uzbekistan won the men’s individual gold and Valeriy Rakimzhan took silver.
  • Uzbekistan won the men’s team gold in 10m air pistol.
  • Vietnam took silver and Chinese Taipei bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol team event.

Punjab FC defeats Zinc Football Academy to win AIFF Elite Youth League 2025-26

Key Updates:

  • Punjab FC won the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Elite Youth League 2025-26 by defeating Zinc Football Academy 3-0 in the final.
  • The final match was held at the Ramsar Sahib Sports Stadium in Gharshankar.
  • Punjab FC successfully defended their title in the AIFF Elite Youth League.
  • The goals for Punjab FC were scored by Karish Soram, Vishal Yadav, and Thongram Rishikant Singh.

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Pakistan withdraws from 2026 SAFF Women's Championship in India (End of April) ▼
  • 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.
India tops medal tally at ISSF Junior World Cup (End of April) ▼
  • India finished on top of the table at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun held in Cairo, Egypt.
  • India won a total of 16 medals, including five gold, six silver, and five bronze.
  • Hemant Burman won the silver medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a score of 351.7.
  • The pair of Zuhair Khan and Addya Katyal secured the bronze medal in the trap mixed team event with a final score of 19.
  • Oleg Noskov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a new world junior record score of 355.6.
  • Nikita Solokov of Uzbekistan won the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a score of 341.2.
  • Bence Doeboerhegyi and Anna Nyitrai of Hungary won the gold medal in the trap mixed team event with a new world junior record score of 32.
  • Neutral athletes Ramir Nikolaev and Kseniia Tatarinova won the silver medal in the trap mixed team event with a score of 25.
  • The ISSF Junior World Championship is scheduled to be held in Suhl, Germany in June.
Jammu and Kashmir beat Karnataka to clinch maiden Ranji Trophy title (Start of March) ▼
  • Jammu and Kashmir secured their first Ranji Trophy title by taking a 291-run first innings lead and ending the final in a draw against Karnataka at KSCA Stadium, Hubballi.
  • Qamran Iqbal scored 160 not out and Sahil Lotra hit 101 not out in Jammu and Kashmir's second innings total of 342/4 on day five.
  • Auqib Nabi took five wickets in the final, his seventh five-wicket haul of the season.
  • Jammu and Kashmir had previously reached the quarterfinals in 2013-14, 2019-20 and 2024-25 seasons but never won the title until now.
  • Skipper Paras Dogra became the second batter to surpass 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs during the season.
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.

ISSF and IPC sign agreement to transfer governance of Para Shooting

Key Updates:

  • The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement to transfer governance of shooting Para sport from the IPC to the ISSF.
  • The sport is currently managed by World Shooting Para Sport under the IPC.
  • The transfer will take effect following approval by ISSF Member Federations at the General Assembly later this year.
  • If ratified, the ISSF will take full charge from early next year.
  • A phased integration is planned over 2027-2028, with minimal changes to competition structures and qualification systems, including for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

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French Institute in India and Paralympic Committee of India launch Para Élan (End of April) ▼
  • The French Institute in India (IFI) and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) launched Para Élan, a three-year initiative for inclusive education through para sports.
  • The programme aims to engage 10,000 students from Indian partner schools to promote inclusion, resilience, equality, and excellence.
  • The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by PCI Vice-President Satya Prakash Sangwan and IFI Country Director Gregor Trumel.
  • The launch event was hosted by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou.
Palak and Mukesh win gold at ISSF World Cup (Start of April) ▼
  • Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for rifle and pistol.
  • The event was held in Granada.
  • The Indian duo set a new junior world record with an aggregate score of 487.7 in the final.
  • In the final round, Mukesh scored 244.7 and Palak recorded a score of 243.0.
  • China's Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu secured the silver medal with a score of 484.8.
  • Hungary's Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy won the bronze medal with a combined total of 414.9.
  • The Indian pair qualified for the medal match with a score of 581-17x in the qualification round.
Indian Shooters Participate in ISSF Junior World Cup in Egypt (End of April) ▼
  • The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup is being held in Cairo, Egypt.
  • The competitions are taking place at the Egypt International Olympic City.
  • India is represented by a contingent of 71 athletes.
  • Athletes from 25 countries, including Egypt and Russia, are participating in the event.
  • Indian athletes participating in the event include Shambhavi Kshirsagar and Shiva Narwal.
  • The competition features events such as 10m Air Rifle Women, 10m Air Pistol Men, and 25m Pistol Precision.
  • The ISSF Junior World Cup serves as a prelude to the Junior World Championships in Germany.
India tops medal tally at ISSF Junior World Cup (End of April) ▼
  • India finished on top of the table at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun held in Cairo, Egypt.
  • India won a total of 16 medals, including five gold, six silver, and five bronze.
  • Hemant Burman won the silver medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a score of 351.7.
  • The pair of Zuhair Khan and Addya Katyal secured the bronze medal in the trap mixed team event with a final score of 19.
  • Oleg Noskov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a new world junior record score of 355.6.
  • Nikita Solokov of Uzbekistan won the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions with a score of 341.2.
  • Bence Doeboerhegyi and Anna Nyitrai of Hungary won the gold medal in the trap mixed team event with a new world junior record score of 32.
  • Neutral athletes Ramir Nikolaev and Kseniia Tatarinova won the silver medal in the trap mixed team event with a score of 25.
  • The ISSF Junior World Championship is scheduled to be held in Suhl, Germany in June.

International Dance Day observed on 29 April

Key Updates:

  • International Dance Day, also known as World Dance Day, is celebrated every year on 29 April.
  • The official message for International Dance Day 2026 was written by Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite, highlighting dance as a human language.
  • The date marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet reformer born in 1727.
  • The day was introduced in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), an organisation associated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
  • Indian classical dance forms include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathakali, and Mohiniyattam.
  • Indian folk dances include Garba, Bhangra, Ghoomar, Bihu, Lavani, and Chhau.

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International Day of Sport for Development and Peace observed on April 6 with 2026 theme 'Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers' (Start of April) ▼
  • International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed annually on April 6.
  • The 2026 theme is 'Sport: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers'.
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the day through Resolution 67/296 on August 23, 2013.
  • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) played a key role in the creation of the day.
  • The day aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Yoga Mahotsav 2026 launched on 13 March 2026; 100-day countdown to 12th International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Yoga Mahotsav 2026 was launched by the Ministry of Ayush in New Delhi on 13 March 2026, marking the 100-day countdown to the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21 June 2026.
  • Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, inaugurated the event and unveiled '10 Yoga Protocols for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Target Groups'.
  • The International Day of Yoga was adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2014 following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal.
  • Over 26 crore people participated in International Day of Yoga 2025.
  • The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) signed an MoU with Habuild under the Yoga 365 campaign to offer free daily online Yoga sessions, with registrations via toll-free number 1800-315-7008.
  • An AI-based tool under the Ayush Grid helps practitioners correct Yogasana postures, and Advanced Y-Break courses are available on the Karmayogi Bharat platform with over 10 lakh enrolled participants.
  • The Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) demonstration at 7:00 AM at MDNIY was attended by over 1,000 Yoga enthusiasts, and the one-day event saw around 1,500 total participants.
World Theatre Day observed on March 27 (End of March) ▼
  • World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on March 27 to honour the art of theatre and its impact on society.
  • The International Theatre Institute (ITI) established World Theatre Day in 1961.
  • The first celebration of World Theatre Day took place in 1962.
  • A key tradition of the day is the World Theatre Day Message, delivered by a renowned theatre personality to reflect on the role of theatre in society.
  • The day aims to promote cultural exchange, diversity, and creative expression while raising awareness about performing arts in education.
World Theatre Day 2026 observed on March 27 with theme 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace' (End of March) ▼
  • World Theatre Day 2026 is observed on March 27.
  • The theme for 2026 is 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace'.
  • World Theatre Day was established in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI).
  • Willem Dafoe delivers the international message for 2026.

World Penguin Day observed on April 25

Key Updates:

  • World Penguin Day is observed on April 25.
  • The African penguin is the only penguin species endemic to the coastlines of South Africa and Namibia.
  • The African penguin was uplisted to Critically Endangered in 2024 on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
  • There are currently fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs of African penguins left.
  • Scientists have warned that the African penguin could be extinct in the wild by 2035.
  • The City of Cape Town has invested in a Penguin Ranger Team in partnership with SANCCOB and South African National Parks.

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World Day for Laboratory Animals observed on April 24 (End of April) ▼
  • World Day for Laboratory Animals, also known as World Day for Animals in Laboratories or World Lab Animal Day, is observed annually on April 24.
  • The day was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) based in the United Kingdom.
  • The date April 24 was chosen to mark the birthday of Hugh Dowding, a British Air Chief Marshal and anti-vivisectionist who served as president of NAVS.
  • The observance focuses on raising awareness about cruel animal tests and promoting advanced non-animal alternatives.
  • The week surrounding the day is referred to as World Week for Animals in Laboratories, Lab Animal Week, or World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week.
International Zebra Day observed on January 31, 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • International Zebra Day is celebrated annually on January 31.
  • The day aims to raise awareness about zebras and how we can contribute to their conservation.
  • Zebras primarily inhabit semi-desert regions in Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as hilly areas in Namibia, Angola, and South Africa.
World Sparrow Day observed on March 20 (End of March) ▼
  • World Sparrow Day is observed annually on March 20 to raise awareness and encourage conservation efforts for the house sparrow.
  • The initiative was first introduced in 2010 by Nature Forever, a bird conservation organisation in India, and has expanded to 50 countries.
  • The house sparrow was designated as the official state bird of Delhi in 2012.
  • Environmental conservationist Jagat Kinkhabwala launched the Save The Sparrow campaign, which received support from Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in 2017.
  • A 2025 Press Information Bureau (PIB) statement highlighted the efforts of Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Lal, who established 50 nests for sparrows at his home.
  • The house sparrow plays a vital role in ecological balance by regulating insect populations and assisting in pollination and seed dispersal.
  • The decline in the sparrow population is attributed to habitat loss, excessive pesticide usage, pollution, industrialisation, and modern building designs that lack nesting spaces.
International Children’s Book Day observed on April 2 with theme 'plant stories and the world will bloom' (Start of April) ▼
  • International Children’s Book Day is observed on April 2 every year, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen.
  • The day has been celebrated since 1967.
  • The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) sponsors the day.
  • IBBY is a non-profit organisation founded in Zurich.
  • Cyprus is the host country for International Children’s Book Day 2026.
  • The theme for 2026 is 'plant stories and the world will bloom'.
  • Sandra Elephteriou designed the 2026 poster.
  • Elena Perikleous wrote the 2026 message.
  • Giorgos Hatzipieris wrote the 2026 official song 'The Little Gardener'.

World Veterinary Day observed on April 25, 2026 with theme Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health

Key Updates:

  • World Veterinary Day 2026 was observed on April 25, 2026.
  • The theme for the event was Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.
  • The programme was organised by the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS) at the Postgraduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
  • Animal Husbandry Minister Joraram Kumawat highlighted the expansion of veterinary infrastructure through new animal hospitals and mobile veterinary vans.
  • Key welfare initiatives mentioned include the Gopalak Card and the Mangla Livestock Insurance Scheme.
  • The state is implementing sex-sorted semen technology to improve breeding outcomes and reduce financial risk for livestock owners.
  • A newsletter was released by RAJUVAS during the programme.
  • Retired academicians G.C. Gehlot and Sunanda Sharma were recognised for their distinguished service.

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World Day for Laboratory Animals observed on April 24 (End of April) ▼
  • World Day for Laboratory Animals, also known as World Day for Animals in Laboratories or World Lab Animal Day, is observed annually on April 24.
  • The day was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) based in the United Kingdom.
  • The date April 24 was chosen to mark the birthday of Hugh Dowding, a British Air Chief Marshal and anti-vivisectionist who served as president of NAVS.
  • The observance focuses on raising awareness about cruel animal tests and promoting advanced non-animal alternatives.
  • The week surrounding the day is referred to as World Week for Animals in Laboratories, Lab Animal Week, or World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week.
France hosts One Health Summit in Lyon on 7 April 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • The One Health Summit will be held in Lyon (France) on 7 April 2026, marking World Health Day.
  • For the first time, Heads of State and Government from around the world will gather to step up the implementation of the One Health approach.
  • The One Health approach recognises the interlinkage between human, animal and ecosystem health and seeks to strike a balance between them.
  • The Summit is the ninth One Planet Summit and is being held in synergy with France’s 2026 G7 Presidency.
  • A One Health Festival is being held in France and abroad from 16 March to 15 May 2026, involving more than 150 events.
Union Budget 2026-27: New Initiatives for Livestock, Fisheries, and High-Value Agriculture (Start of February) ▼
  • Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman announced a loan-linked capital subsidy scheme to increase the availability of veterinary professionals by more than 20,000.
  • The veterinary scheme will support the establishment of private colleges, veterinary hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and breeding facilities.
  • The government will undertake the integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to strengthen the fisheries value chain.
  • Fisheries development will be enabled through market linkages involving startups, women-led groups, and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs).
  • A credit-linked subsidy programme will be launched for animal husbandry entrepreneurship development and the modernisation of livestock enterprises.
  • The Coconut Promotion Scheme aims to replace old and non-productive trees with new varieties in major coconut-growing states.
  • A dedicated programme for Indian cashew and cocoa aims to achieve self-reliance and transform them into premium global brands by 2030.
  • The government will partner with states to promote sandalwood cultivation and post-harvest processing to restore the Indian sandalwood ecosystem.
  • A dedicated programme for hilly regions will support the rejuvenation of old orchards and high-density cultivation of walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts.
World Health Day 2026: Together for health. Stand with science (Start of April) ▼
  • World Health Day is observed every year on April 7.
  • World Health Day 2026 theme is 'Together for health. Stand with science'.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded on April 7, 1948.
  • The first World Health Day was marked by WHO in 1950.

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day observed on April 26

Key Updates:

  • International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed annually on April 26.
  • The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2016 to mark the anniversary of the 1986 nuclear accident.
  • The nuclear accident occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
  • The disaster was caused by a routine safety test that led to a power surge and explosions destroying the No. 4 reactor.
  • The radiation from the accident spread across Europe and the Soviet Union, affecting Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
  • The UNGA adopted resolution 71/125 on December 8, 2016, to officially designate April 26 as the remembrance day.
  • The first official observance of the day took place in 2017.
  • The term liquidators refers to the firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers who worked to contain the radiation and build the initial sarcophagus over the damaged reactor.

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World Earth Day 2026 Observed with Theme 'Our Power, Our Planet' (End of April) ▼
  • World Earth Day is observed annually on 22 April to promote environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.
  • The theme for World Earth Day 2026 is 'our power, our planet', which emphasises human agency and collective action.
  • Campaigns in 2026 focus on civic mobilisation, environmental literacy, and democratic action through activities such as voter registration drives, teach-ins, and town halls.
  • World Earth Day began on 22 April 1970 in the United States (US) following protests against environmental degradation in cities including New York and Boston.
  • The 1970 movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and key environmental laws.
  • The movement expanded globally in 1990 with participation from 141 countries.
Iran marks Nowruz under US-Israeli strikes amid internet blackout (End of March) ▼
  • Iran celebrated Nowruz on 20 March 2026 as US and Israeli warplanes conducted overnight and periodic bombardment.
  • Spring equinox in Iran occurred at 18:15:59 local time (14:45:59 GMT) on 20 March 2026.
  • Tehran’s air-defence batteries fired intermittently after the new-year moment in an apparent celebratory move.
  • Iranian government allows citizens 30 litres of petrol daily via personal fuel cards and claims no fuel shortage despite depot bombings.
  • State maintains near-total internet shutdown for 21st consecutive day, reducing connectivity to under 1 percent of previous levels.
  • Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documented over 7,000 deaths during January protests; UN special rapporteur Mai Sato estimates more than 20,000 civilian deaths.
  • Iranian authorities executed three men, including 19-year-old national wrestling team member, and a Swedish dual national for alleged protest-related crimes and spying for Israel.
International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust observed on 27 January (End of January) ▼
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 60/7 designated 27 January as the annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in 2005.
  • The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Death Camp on 27 January 1945.
  • The Holocaust led to the adoption of foundational documents by the United Nations (UN) in 1948, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
  • The UNGA established the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme in 2005 to mobilize outreach for combatting antisemitism and defending human rights.
  • Key UNGA resolutions related to this observance and the prevention of Holocaust denial include A/RES/60/7, A/RES/61/255, and A/RES/76/250.
  • The annual observance is held at the UN Headquarters in New York and through the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs).
United Nations marks International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness on 5 March 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed every year on 5 March to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people.
  • Global military expenditures reached a record $2.7 trillion in 2024.
  • An interactive ballot-box installation at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) Rotunda from 2 to 6 March 2026 invites visitors to vote on global spending priorities and reflect on redirecting resources toward education, health, and climate action.
  • The UN General Assembly has held three Special Sessions on Disarmament (SSOD) that shaped the disarmament architecture, yet a fourth session remains elusive since 1995.
  • The United Nations Secretary-General’s report titled 'The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future' will be discussed in a virtual briefing on 5 March at 10:15 am Nepal Time.
  • UNODA Occasional Paper No. 47, 'Revisiting Consensus in Multilateral Disarmament Discussions: Trends, Challenges and the Way Forward', authored by Adedeji Ebo and Katherine Prizeman, will be launched on 5 March at 3 PM EST at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library.
  • A second interactive ballot-box installation will be held at Schwedenplatz, Vienna, on 5 March afternoon to engage the public on global spending priorities.
  • On 5 March, the UN Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) will meet high-school students from the Sacré-Coeur Avépozo Institute in Togo to discuss small arms, light weapons, and autonomous weapons systems.
  • On 6 March, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) will meet high-school students from Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss its work on disarmament and peacebuilding.
  • Suzuka Nakamura, a Japanese peace activist and third-generation hibakusha from Nagasaki, was selected as one of the UN Youth Office's 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2025-2027.

World Intellectual Property Day observed on April 26

Key Updates:

  • World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on April 26.
  • The event was established to increase general understanding of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and copyrights.
  • The idea for the day was first proposed by the National Algerian Institute for Industrial Property in 1999.
  • The State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China suggested the institutionalisation of the event during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly.
  • WIPO member states approved the proposal in October 1999.
  • The date April 26 coincides with the anniversary of the date the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization first entered into force in 1970.
  • The first official World Intellectual Property Day was held in 2000.

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World Book and Copyright Day observed on April 23 (End of April) ▼
  • World Book and Copyright Day, also known as International Day of the Book, is celebrated globally on April 23.
  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the day in 1995.
  • The date April 23 marks the death anniversaries of prominent writers William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes in 1616.
  • The observance highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property through copyright laws.
  • Iceland is cited as having the highest per capita readership in the world.
  • Bibliosmia is the term used to describe the distinct smell of old books.
  • Estimates suggest that more than 130 million books exist globally.
  • The 10 recommended classics include 1984 by George Orwell, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
  • The list of essential reads also features Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, and The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien.
International Design Day observed on 27 April with theme "The Spaces In Between" (End of April) ▼
  • International Design Day is observed annually on 27 April to reflect on the role design plays in shaping society.
  • The theme for International Design Day 2026 is "The Spaces In Between".
  • The Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) is serving as the global host for the 2026 celebrations.
  • The International Council of Design (ICoD) provides leadership regarding the origins and purpose of International Design Day.
  • The SEGD was founded in 1973 and represents more than 2,000 members across 30 chapters in seven international regions.
World Creativity and Innovation Day observed on April 21 (End of April) ▼
  • World Creativity and Innovation Day is observed on April 21.
  • The initiative was promoted by Marci Segal from Toronto, Canada, and officially started in 2001.
  • April 21 was chosen as the date because it comes just before Earth Day to highlight the role of creativity in sustainability.
  • The United Nations (UN) officially recognised the day in 2017.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) records 30.2% surge in India patent filings to 1.43 lakh in FY 2025-26 (Mid of April) ▼
  • Patent applications filed in India rose 30.2% to 1,43,729 in 2025-26 from 1,10,375 in 2024-25.
  • Domestic filings accounted for over 69% of total applications, with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra leading.
  • Patent filings have climbed every year since 2016-17, when they stood at 45,444.
  • Government measures include reduced fees for startups, small entities, and educational institutions; expedited examination; and pro bono facilitation for Indian startups.
  • Applications are examined under a two-tier system of the Patents Act, 1970, with pre-grant and post-grant opposition provisions.

Rithika Shri becomes first registered transgender umpire in Tamil Nadu

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

  • Rithika Shri is the first registered transgender umpire in Tamil Nadu.
  • She has officiated in over 300 matches across Salem and Namakkal.
  • The Coimbatore District Cricket Association (CDCA) integrated her into the system and conducted gender-sensitivity sessions for club owners, match officials, players, and venue owners.
  • The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) modified its umpire examination form to include the third gender category.
  • Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to formally recognise the third gender for welfare measures in 2008.
  • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not have a policy requiring such recognition, but the TNCA provides support to the umpire.

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Menaka Guruswamy became first openly queer MP in Rajya Sabha. (Start of April) ▼
  • Menaka Guruswamy took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
  • She is India’s first openly queer MP.
  • Guruswamy is a Senior Advocate and a constitutional law expert.
  • She played a key role in the 2018 Supreme Court judgment that decriminalised homosexuality.
Manik Gupta Passes Away Veteran Cricket Umpire (Mid of February) ▼
  • Veteran cricket umpire Manik Gupta passed away at the age of 65 following a bee swarm attack in Shuklaganj, Unnao.
  • He was a three-decade veteran of junior cricket and was associated with the Kanpur Cricket Association (KCA).
  • The incident occurred at the Rahul Sapru ground on 18 February 2026 during an under-13 match between YMCA and Paramount.
  • He was declared dead upon arrival at the LLR Hospital in Kanpur after sustaining more than 150 bee stings.
  • Medical experts at the GSVM Medical College stated that the bee venom triggered severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest.
  • The deceased was a resident of Pheelkhana and had been a prominent figure in the local cricket officiating community for 30 years.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 Introduced with Stricter Penalties and Medical Certification (Mid of March) ▼
  • 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.
Soundala Gram Panchayat passes resolution to become caste-free (End of February) ▼
  • The Gram Sabha of Soundala village in Maharashtra passed a resolution on 5 February to declare the village caste-free and end discrimination based on caste, religion, creed, or race.
  • Led by Sarpanch Sharad Argade, the resolution adopts the principle of My religion — humanity and mandates equal rights for all residents.
  • The policy ensures that all public places, government services, water sources, temples, crematoriums, and schools remain open to every member of the community.
  • Village authorities are authorised to take action against social media posts that incite caste-based tension or hatred.
  • Soundala has a population of approximately 2,500, consisting of 65 per cent Marathas and 20 per cent Scheduled Caste (SC) residents.
  • The Gram Sabha previously passed a resolution in September 2024 to provide ₹11,000 for widow remarriage to combat social exclusion.
  • In November 2024, the village banned the use of derogatory curse words against women and implemented a fine of ₹500 for violators.
  • The village dispute resolution council, known as the Tanta-Mukti Samiti, is headed by Sanjay Gore from the SC community.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) appoints CFO and approves petrochemicals joint venture

[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL)]

Key Updates:

  • Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) appointed Yogish Nayak S as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective from May 1, 2026.
  • ONGC approved the formation of a joint venture (JV) for integrated petrochemicals marketing and trading with Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) and ONGC Petro additions Ltd (OPaL).
  • The JV will have a shareholding structure of 50:25:25 between ONGC, MRPL, and OPaL, respectively.
  • ONGC will contribute ₹25 crore towards equity share capital for the JV, subject to approval from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).
  • ONGC approved an equity investment of up to ₹79.48 crore and a corporate guarantee of up to ₹185.45 crore for Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd.
  • The funding for Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd is for the Duliajan feeder line project, which is part of the North East Gas Grid initiative.

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Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) signs $3 billion green ammonia supply deal with Samsung C&T Corporation (Mid of March) ▼
  • Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed a binding 15-year Supply and Purchase Agreement to supply green ammonia to Samsung C&T Corporation starting second half FY2029.
  • The contract is valued at more than $3 billion and is among the largest binding long-term green ammonia offtake agreements globally.
  • The deal supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and positions India as a major exporter of green fuels through a domestic clean-energy value chain.
  • RIL is developing an integrated new energy platform covering renewable power generation, energy storage, green hydrogen production, and downstream green fuels and chemicals.
  • RIL’s initiative includes domestic manufacturing of solar modules, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and electrolyser systems.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd secures $39 million SCI contract for India’s first methanol-powered platform supply vessel (End of March) ▼
  • Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) signed a $39 million shipbuilding contract with Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) on 18 March for a 3,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) methanol dual-fuel platform supply vessel.
  • SCI reduced the order to one vessel from the original plan of two firm and two optional platform supply vessels due to high costs quoted by Indian yards.
  • The methanol-powered dual-fuel platform supply vessel is funded under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
  • SCI selected high-pressure injection technology for the dual-fuel engine to lower pilot fuel percentage despite higher capital expenditure.
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Akasa Air sign letter of intent to explore sustainable aviation fuel supply (Start of February) ▼
  • Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) signed a letter of intent with Akasa Air at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad to explore future sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply.
  • The agreement sets a framework to assess SAF volumes, feedstocks and logistics without committing to firm timelines or quantities.
  • IOCL and Akasa Air will evaluate feasibility of SAF supply to support the airline’s sustainability targets.
  • SAF is used as a lower-emission alternative to conventional jet fuel to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from air travel.
JSW Steel and POSCO Group form joint venture for 6 mtpa steel plant in Odisha (Mid of April) ▼
  • JSW Steel Ltd and POSCO Group have formed a 50:50 joint venture (JV) to establish a greenfield 6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) integrated steel plant in Odisha.
  • The JV will be operated through Saffron Resources Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Steel.
  • The project is located in the Keonjhar district of Odisha, involving 2,445 acres of land across 12 villages under Patna tehsil.
  • The total investment for the plant is ₹35,000 crore, with an estimated employment potential of around 8,000 direct and indirect jobs.
  • POSCO Group will subscribe to shares of Saffron Resources Pvt Ltd for approximately ₹508.8 crore, with the transaction expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
  • JSW Steel currently has a crude steel production capacity of 35.7 mtpa, including 34.2 mtpa in India and 1.5 mtpa in the United States, with a target of 50 mtpa in India by FY31.
  • POSCO Group, headquartered in Pohang, South Korea, has a steelmaking capacity of around 45 mtpa.

Supreme Court (SC) rules on hate speech legislation on April 29, 2026

[Supreme Court (India)]

Key Updates:

  • A Supreme Court (SC) bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta held that the existing framework of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) adequately addresses hate speech.
  • The SC noted that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provides for the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) in cognisable offences.
  • The Law Commission 267 report, dated March 23, 2017, suggested legislative measures and amendments to address evolving societal challenges regarding hate speech.
  • The SC cited the Lalita Kumari judgment, which mandates that police are bound to register an FIR upon the disclosure of a cognisable offence.
  • Legal recourse for non-registration of FIRs is available under Section 154(3), Section 156(3), and Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
  • Corresponding legal remedies under the BNSS include Section 175 for approaching a Magistrate and Section 223 for filing a complaint.
  • In 2018, the SC issued specific guidelines to control hate crimes, mob violence, and lynching, which included the appointment of nodal officers and fast-tracked trials.

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Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950: Supreme Court defines religion-based eligibility for Scheduled Caste status (End of March) ▼
  • The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that Scheduled Caste (SC) status is strictly limited to individuals professing Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist religions.
  • Under Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, conversion to any religion other than those specified leads to the immediate loss of SC status regardless of birth.
  • The SC bench, comprising Justices P K Mishra and Manmohan, upheld an Andhra Pradesh High Court decision denying SC benefits to individuals who convert to Christianity.
  • The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, does not include religion-based exclusions, meaning Scheduled Tribe (ST) status depends on tribal identity and community acceptance rather than faith alone.
  • For an individual to reclaim SC status through reconversion, they must provide credible evidence of original caste membership and total dissociation from the converted religion.
  • The SC stated that the theological foundation of Christianity does not recognise the institution of caste, making it incompatible with SC status claims.
  • The ruling establishes that individuals professing religions outside the 1950 Order cannot seek protection under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015.
Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 limits Scheduled Caste status to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists (End of March) ▼
  • The Supreme Court bench of Justices PK Mishra and NV Anjaria ruled that conversion to a religion outside Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism ends Scheduled Caste status.
  • The court cited Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 which recognises only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists as eligible for Scheduled Caste benefits.
  • The Andhra Pradesh High Court had earlier held that continued practice of Christianity disqualifies a person from claiming Scheduled Caste reservation.
  • The Allahabad High Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure Scheduled Caste status is not granted to converts and ordered district magistrates to identify such cases within four months.
Queensland government to ban pro-Palestinian slogan under new hate speech law. (Start of February) ▼
  • Queensland will introduce legislation on Tuesday to ban the pro-Palestinian slogan 'from the river to the sea'.
  • The slogan ban carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
  • The phrase 'globalise the intifada' will also be proscribed under the same law.
  • Displaying the Hamas flag, Islamic State flag, Hezbollah emblem and Nazi symbols will attract up to two years in prison.
  • Impeding religious services will be a new offence with a three-year prison term.
  • Assaulting or threatening a religious officiant will carry a penalty increased from two to five years.
  • Intentionally damaging a place of worship will carry a maximum seven-year sentence.
  • The reforms follow the 14 December 2025 Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration.
China National People's Congress approves Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress law mandating Mandarin education (Mid of March) ▼
  • The National People's Congress (NPC) of China approved the Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress law during its annual parliamentary session in Beijing.
  • The legislation mandates that all children must be taught Mandarin from before kindergarten until the completion of high school.
  • The law aims to promote integration among the 56 officially recognised ethnic groups, dominated by the Han Chinese who constitute over 90% of the 1.4 billion population.
  • The new law provides a legal basis to prosecute parents or guardians who instil views described as detrimental to ethnic harmony in children.
  • The policy is part of a broader sinicisation effort to create a unified national identity by assimilating minority groups into the dominant Han culture.
  • The United Nations (UN) has previously accused the Chinese government of grave human rights violations in the Xinjiang region involving the detention of Uyghur Muslims.
  • The law calls for mutually embedded community environments, which analysts suggest could lead to the restructuring of minority-heavy neighbourhoods.