Apr 20 – Apr 26
How AI helped promote community-led development in Rajasthan
A pilot project named AI4WaterPolicy was conducted across 50 villages in two Rajasthan districts — Sirohi and Pali — over a six-month period...
Govt pushes ethanol blending beyond 20%; vehicle impact remains concern
Following the nationwide E20 mandate (20% ethanol blending in petrol) effective April 1, 2026, the government has initiated consultations wi...
Mapped every village in country from space, says Isro; satellite data to help in better rollout of rural projects
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed high-resolution satellite-based land use and land cover mapping of all approxima...
Solar infra helps India meet record 256GW power demand
India's peak electricity demand reached an all-time high of 256.1 GW on April 25, 2026 — the first time the country crossed the quarter-tera...
Govt. may establish labs in varsities to train students for space sector
The Union Ministry of Science and Technology announced the establishment of seven specialised space laboratories in universities and college...
India–New Zealand FTA talks near finish after decade-long gap
India and New Zealand concluded a Free Trade Agreement in December 2025 after negotiations formally began in March 2025 — a turnaround of ap...
Disqualify all seven defecting MPs, AAP says in petition to Rajya Sabha Chairman
A petition was filed before the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of seven Members of Parliament who quit the party on whose tic...
NGT issues notice to Centre over risks from hanging glaciers in central Himalaya
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took suo motu cognisance on 24 April 2026 of a news report titled "Study Flags Overlooked Danger Posed By ...
UAE-Iran differences and India’s plans to dilute language on Israel-Palestine derail joint statement at BRICS meet
BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) convened in New Delhi on April 23–24, 2026, und...
India must identify key chokepoints, mitigate both supply & price risks: EAC-PM Chairman S Mahendra Dev
The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) articulated the need for India to systematically identify and mitigate key econ...
Before the Iran war, how empires fought for the Strait of Hormuz
Since late February 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked to commercial shipping following the outbreak of the Iran-US-Isr...
70% of Indian goods to enter New Zealand duty-free under FTA; big boost for MSMEs, says Piyush Goyal
Under the India–New Zealand FTA signed on April 27, 2026, approximately 70% of Indian goods will enter New Zealand without any import duty f...
India likely to close FY26 with gross FDI of more than $90 billion, says CEA Nageswaran
India's Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran stated that India is likely to close FY2025-26 with gross FDI exceeding $90 billi...
Piyush Goyal to meet exporters on Monday as India signs FTA with New Zealand
Ahead of the India–New Zealand FTA signing on April 27, 2026, India's Commerce and Industry Minister and New Zealand's Minister for Trade an...
Exporters upbeat as India, New Zealand set to sign FTA on Monday
India and New Zealand signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026, granting Indian exporters 100 per cent duty-free marke...
India, New Zealand to ink free trade pact on April 27; aims to double bilateral trade
India and New Zealand signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on April 27, 2026, concluded in a record nine mo...
Trump’s Hormuz blockade has deepened a historic shipping crisis
The Strait of Hormuz has been the site of an unprecedented dual blockade in 2026 — the United States declared a naval blockade of Iranian po...
AAP seeks termination of Raghav Chadha, 6 'defector' MPs in plea to Rajya Sabha chairman
A petition was filed before the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of seven Rajya Sabha MPs under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defect...
The FTA cautionary tale: What India-Korea trade warns us about new global deals
A recent analytical commentary has examined India's experience with the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with South Korea...
India, New Zealand to sign FTA on April 27; deal provides Indian exporters 100% duty-free access
India and New Zealand signed a bilateral Free Trade Agreement on April 27, 2026, granting Indian exporters 100% duty-free access to the New ...
Small Hydro Power Development Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved the Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, with a total outlay of ₹2...
Government Clarifies Wheat Production Scenario 2025–26; Crop Remains Resilient Despite Weather Variations
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare described the 2025–26 wheat season as "mixed but resilient," acknowledging localised damage...
India's wheat production resilient despite setbacks: Agri ministry
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare affirmed that India's wheat output for 2025–26 remains stable despite localised crop damage...
FTA with New Zealand to provide huge opportunities for Agra’s leather exporters: Goyal
Ahead of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement signing (April 27, 2026), the Commerce Ministry held stakeholder consultations in Agra w...
Hormuz disruption, $100 oil pose risks to India's inflation, rupee: Union Bank
The ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz (since late February 2026) and the broader West Asia conflict pushed Brent crude oil prices abo...
New Zealand to sign FTA with India tomorrow; Luxon calls it ‘once-in-a-generation deal’
India and New Zealand signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on April 27, 2026 in New Delhi, marking the culmination of negotiations la...
India plans global diplomatic push across Europe, Africa, BRICS and Quad in May
India is undertaking an intensive round of multilateral and bilateral diplomacy in May 2026, spanning Europe, Africa, and two major grouping...
MoEFCC and NBA launch five-year project to strengthen Grassroots Biodiversity Governance in Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launched a five-year pro...
Shipping crisis exposes gaps in India’s maritime strategy
The ongoing conflict in West Asia triggered a severe shipping crisis in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, bringing into sharp focus...
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 2.0 App launched to strengthen monitoring and institutional coordination under National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR)
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the upgraded Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 2.0 App on April 24, 2026, in Chandig...
Why typhoid is becoming harder to treat in India
Doctors and public health researchers have raised alarm over typhoid becoming progressively harder to treat in India, driven by the misuse o...
NITI Aayog releases report on “Moving Towards Effective City Government – A Framework for Million-Plus Cities”
NITI Aayog released the report "Moving Towards Effective City Government – A Framework for Million-plus Cities" on 25 April 2026 at India Ha...
Prime Minister extends best wishes on reconstitution of NITI Aayog
The Union government reconstituted the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) with a near-complete change of full-time mem...
DRDO unveils Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked & Wheeled)
The Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO laboratory located in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, unveiled two prototype vari...
DPIIT Issues Operational Guidelines for ?10,000 Crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 to Streamline Capital Deployment
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued operational gui...
Updates on Key Sectors in View of Developments in West Asia
In response to the evolving situation in West Asia, the Government of India activated a coordinated inter-ministerial response spanning the ...
DRDO unveils advanced armoured vehicles for combat support and deployment in Ladakh, deserts, riverine areas
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) rolled out the first two prototypes of the Vikram VT-21 Advanced Armoured Platform ...
Clashes across Manipur’s valley as protests against killing of 2 Meitei children spiral
On April 7, 2026, a mortar/explosive attack on a house in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village, Bishnupur district, Manipur, killed two children ...
The anti-defection law — political facts, legal fiction
The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which governs anti-defection, has come under renewed scrutiny following a series of high-prof...
Will AAP MPs face disqualification after joining BJP?
Seven of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) ten Rajya Sabha members announced their decision to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party on 24 April 2...
What rules govern international waters?
The geopolitical and legal status of the Strait of Hormuz has come under scrutiny following tensions between Iran and the United States over...
FM Nirmala Sitharaman pushes unified KYC framework, asks Sebi to lead
The Finance Ministry called for a single, unified Know Your Customer (KYC) framework across India's entire financial sector, asking SEBI to ...
CM Revanth flags off India's first pvt orbital rocket Vikram-1 at Skyroot Aerospace
Vikram-1, India's first privately built orbital launch vehicle, was formally flagged off from Skyroot Aerospace's Max-Q campus in Hyderabad,...
AIIMS Delhi director, DST Secretary appointed members of NITI Aayog
The Government reconstituted NITI Aayog in April 2026, appointing Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice-Chairman, replacing Suman Bery. Dr. M. Srinivas...
Skyroot flags-off Vikram-1, India’s first private orbital launch soon
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket was formally flagged off from its manufacturing facility (Max-Q campus) in Hyderabad on April 25, 2026, ...
After RBI action, when will Paytm Payments Bank customers get their money back?
The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited effective April 24, 2026, citing that the bank's oper...
Ashok Lahiri is new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, 4 new members also appointed
The central government reconstituted the NITI Aayog, appointing veteran economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice Chairperson, replacing Suman Be...
Meant to protect free speech from anti-defection law, ‘merger’ is now a defence for joining a rival party
A recent constitutional controversy has brought fresh scrutiny to Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule — the "merger" exception to the anti-def...
AAP to seek disqualification of MPs who defected to BJP
Seven of the Aam Aadmi Party's ten Rajya Sabha MPs — including Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta,...
Ashok Kumar Lahiri appointed as Niti Aayog Vice-Chairperson
Ashok Kumar Lahiri, a former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India, has been appointed as the Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aay...
44 million unknown variants: What India's Genome Project found, and why it matters
The Genome India Project (GIP), coordinated by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has completed the whole-genome sequencing ...
U.S. sanctions waiver on Chabahar port ends on April 26, could signal end of 23-year-old connectivity project
The US Treasury Department's sanctions waiver covering India's operations at Iran's Chabahar port expired on April 26, 2026, raising serious...
RBI’s action on Paytm Payments Bank Limited has no financial impact and strong momentum, says company
The RBI's cancellation of Paytm Payments Bank Limited's (PPBL) licence carries limited direct financial impact on its parent company (One97 ...
Bill for three-year pause on H-1B visas introduced in U.S. Congress
The "End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026" was introduced in the US House of Representatives, proposing a three-year suspension of new H-1B visa ...
RBI cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence citing rule violations
The Reserve Bank of India formally cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited on April 24, 2026, under Section 22(4) of th...
Single successful cyberattack could disrupt markets at national scale, shake public confidence: FM
At SEBI's 38th Foundation Day (April 25, 2026), the Union Finance Minister warned that a single successful cyberattack on a major stock exch...
Aksai Chin for Arunachal: Ex-Indian Army chief Naravane backs revival of 1950s China offer on border row
A former Chief of Army Staff, in a recent interview, advocated for reviving a late-1950s Chinese proposal suggesting India accept China's ad...
DRDO unveils amphibious battle platforms with crewless turrets, anti-tank missile capability
DRDO's Chairman unveiled two variants — tracked and wheeled — of advanced amphibious battle platforms at the Vehicle Research and Developmen...
Government issued detailed guidelines to operationalise 2nd tranche of fund of funds scheme for startups
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) issued detailed operational guidelines to operationalise the second tran...
WHO approves first malaria treatment for infants
The World Health Organization granted prequalification status to Coartem Baby (artemether-lumefantrine), the first antimalarial formulation ...
China acquired capacity to build 50 nuclear power reactors simultaneously: Official report
A blue book released by the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) in April 2026 confirmed that China's total installed nuclear power capac...
FPOs struggling, policy paper recommends government aid
A policy paper by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) has documented systemic challenges faced by Farmer Producer Organisat...
India’s drug approval system set for big digital overhaul to weed out multiple portals, glitches, delays
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) issued a Request for Proposal on April 13, 2026, to select a software provider for b...
India's financial system and external sector remain resilient despite global volatility and capital outflows: RBI Bulletin
The Reserve Bank of India's April 2026 Bulletin assessed that India's financial system and external sector remain resilient despite heighten...
Climate-resilient farming in the age of extremes
As extreme weather events — droughts, unseasonal rains, heatwaves, and floods — grow more frequent and unpredictable, Indian agriculture fac...
Strategic petroleum reserves: Why India needs bigger oil buffers & how others compare | Cut The Clutter
With the Strait of Hormuz blockade entering its 50th day (as of the article's context), global attention has turned to the adequacy of count...
A tangled tale of Tangail: How sarees wove a diplomatic knot between India and Bangladesh
A saree exhibition at Bangladesh's High Commission in New Delhi sparked diplomatic tension when India allegedly declined permission to use t...
Finance Minister advocates ‘anticipatory’ regulation in capital markets
At SEBI's 38th Foundation Day event held in Mumbai on April 25, 2026, the Union Finance Minister delivered the keynote address calling for a...
Census 2027: States asked to identify vulnerable areas, keep biased enumerators out
The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India directed district magistrates and municipal commissioners to conduct a revenue villag...
Separation between economics & strategy that was taken for granted has collapsed in 21stCentury
A CUTS International webinar under its "Global Strategies in the Age of Geoeconomics" (G-SAGE) series highlighted how global economics and g...
Merger of AAP MPs with BJP before party's merger 'unconstitutional': Kapil Sibal
Seven Rajya Sabha members of the Aam Aadmi Party, led by Raghav Chadha, announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party on April 24, ...
'New chapter in India-New Zealand economic ties': Piyush Goyal as FTA nears signing
India and New Zealand signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, following a meeting of the India-...
'Gaddar': AAP Youth Wing defaces residences of Rajya Sabha MPs in Punjab for moving to BJP
Following the announcement by seven Rajya Sabha members that they were leaving their original party and merging with another, the original p...
‘Spillage to open reactor’ phase kicks off at Kudankulam nuclear plant’s unit 3
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) Unit 3 has commenced the "spillage to open reactor" phase — a critical pre-commissioning activity. Th...
U.S. won't renew Iranian, Russian oil waivers: Bessent
The US Treasury Secretary announced that the United States does not plan to renew a waiver that had allowed certain purchases of Russian pet...
Urdu no longer mandatory for J&K revenue services; sparks row
The J&K Revenue Department issued draft recruitment rules for non-gazetted revenue service posts, in which the clause making Urdu a compulso...
Six detained under PSA in Kashmir for ‘inciting’ students protest
Sopore Police in north Kashmir invoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) against six individuals for their alleged role in orchestrating violence ...
Big blow to AAP as Chadha, 6 more Rajya Sabha MPs quit, join BJP
Seven Rajya Sabha members announced their departure from their original party and declared their intention to merge with another party, cons...
Anti-defection law won't apply to AAP MPs, say experts
Seven of the ten Rajya Sabha members belonging to a regional political party resigned from their party and submitted a merger application to...
Incremental change: On Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency-III
India is transitioning to the third phase of its Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms — CAFE-III — effective from April 1, 2027, r...
Paytm distances itself from Payments Bank after RBI cancels PPBL’s banking licence
The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) on April 24, 2026, effective from the close of...
US slaps 123% anti-dumping duty on Indian solar imports
The United States Department of Commerce (USDOC) imposed a preliminary anti-dumping (AD) duty of 123.04% on crystalline silicon photovoltaic...
Opposition files new notice seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's ouster
Seventy-three members of the Rajya Sabha submitted a fresh removal notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General on April 24, 2026, seeking th...
Switch by Raghav Chadha, others no surprise as BJP targets new voter blocs in Punjab
Seven members of the Rajya Sabha, constituting two-thirds of their legislative party's strength in the Upper House, announced their departur...
India-US bilateral trade agreement talks progress: Digital trade, market access in focus
An Indian delegation held in-person talks with US counterparts in Washington D.C. from April 20–23, 2026, as part of ongoing negotiations to...
Opposition files fresh Rajya Sabha notice to remove CEC
Seventy-three members of the Rajya Sabha from opposition parties submitted a fresh notice seeking removal of the Chief Election Commissioner...
Ex-CEA Ashok Lahiri to be next NITI Vice-Chairman
The Central Government reconstituted NITI Aayog in April 2026 — described as the first major revamp since the institution's inception in 201...
7 out of 10 AAP MPs cross over to BJP; Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, Mittal among them
Seven of the ten Rajya Sabha members belonging to a regional political party resigned from their party and submitted a merger application to...
Manipur Violence: Three killed in two separate incidents in Ukhrul district
Three people were killed in two separate armed incidents in Manipur's Ukhrul district on April 24, 2026, as violence between Kuki-Zo and Nag...
India assured DTAA tax benefits will continue after Supreme Court ruling, Mauritius Cabinet Note says
Following a landmark Supreme Court ruling in January 2026 that upheld the application of India's General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) to overr...
Statehood delay 'price for voting for National Conference': Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah
The Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir has stated publicly that the restoration of statehood to J&K — promised in Parliament and before the S...
Economist Ashok Lahiri from Bengal to become Niti Aayog vice-chairman, Gobardhan Das named as member
The central government reconstituted NITI Aayog on April 25, 2026, replacing almost the entire full-time membership in a comprehensive overh...
Credit flows jump 38% in FY26 as RBI easing boosts demand
Total formal credit flows to the commercial sector expanded by 38% in FY2025-26, reaching ₹44.6 lakh crore — a strong reversal from an 8% co...
Government to bring new seed, pesticide laws next Parliament session, says Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
The government has indicated that new laws governing seeds and pesticides are nearing finalisation and are targeted for introduction in the ...
RBI cancels the Licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited
The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence issued to Paytm Payments Bank Limited under Section 22(4) of the Banking Regulation ...
Prolonged West Asia conflict to raise energy costs, hit trade and markets: RBI’s State of the Economy article
The Reserve Bank of India's April 2026 Monthly Bulletin, released on April 23, 2026, included a "State of the Economy" article that assessed...
India’s inflation, external debt well within target levels despite global shocks: RBI Governor
On April 20, 2026, the Consulate General of India, New York, hosted an exclusive round-table session attended by over 100 representatives fr...
Sarthi: SEBI’s Trusted Guide for Smarter Investing
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been actively promoting its investor education ecosystem through two integrated platfo...
RBI cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) on 24 April 2026, citing a sustained pat...
73 Opposition MPs sign fresh notice to remove Gyanesh Kumar as CEC
Seventy-three members of the Rajya Sabha submitted a fresh notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General seeking the removal of the Chief Elec...
A sweeping new H-1B Bill has raised alarm. What does it mean for Indian students and working professionals?
A sweeping new piece of legislation — the "End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026" — was introduced in the US legislature on April 22, 2026, with s...
Mythos shock: Why regulators in India, other nations are spooked by Anthropic’s new tool
Anthropic, an AI safety company, announced the limited release of its most capable AI model to date — Claude Mythos Preview — on April 7, 20...
Explained: The Odisha-Chhattisgarh Mahanadi river dispute, amid new tribunal warning
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal issued a final warning to the two riparian states in its March 28, 2026 order, expressing dissatisfacti...
Explained: The Indian economy’s goldilocks scenario that wasn’t
Economic analysis has emerged questioning whether India's so-called "Goldilocks" macro-economic phase — characterised by high growth alongsi...
Will AAP Rajya Sabha MPs face disqualification after joining BJP? Explained
A petition was filed before the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of members under the Tenth Schedule after they voluntarily gav...
Why RBI cancelled Paytm Payments Bank’s banking licence
The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) with effect from April 24, 2026, ordering the ...
Opposition MPs move fresh motion seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Seventy-three Rajya Sabha members of Parliament submitted a fresh notice seeking a motion for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner...
CESL starts tender process for 3,604 e-buses
Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a government enterprise under the Ministry of Power, has initiated a tender process for the proc...
Centre raises wheat procurement target to 34.5 million tonnes amid erratic weather
The central government raised its wheat procurement target for the 2026-27 Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) by 15 percent — from 30 million tonne...
World Bank’s IFC targets $10 billion in annual investments in India by 2030
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, has announced a target to scale its annual inve...
India, U.S. conclude ‘constructive’ in-person talks on trade deal, but no word on deadline
Senior Indian trade officials visited Washington, D.C. from April 20–23 for the first in-person round of trade negotiations since October 20...
Rupee's valuation sinks to over-a-decade low, bruised by Iran war, portfolio outflows
The Indian rupee's Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) based on a 40-currency basket fell to 92.72 — significantly below its long-run averag...
India hikes wheat procurement target as farm-gate prices rule lower
The Central government has raised India's wheat procurement target for the 2026-27 Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) from 303 lakh tonnes to 345 l...
EU formally approves Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against Russia
The Council of the European Union formally approved a €90 billion (approximately USD 105 billion) loan to Ukraine on April 23, 2026, to cove...
CropLife demands 5-year data protection in pesticides bill
The Pesticides Management Bill (PMB), intended to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968, is reported to be nearly ready for introduction in an ...
Indian economy remains stable despite West Asia conflict, says RBI Bulletin
The Reserve Bank of India's April 2026 Monthly Bulletin, released on April 23, 2026, included a "State of the Economy" article that assessed...
Rajnath Singh to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers’ meet in Bishkek
India was represented at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on April 28, 20...
El Nino may return by mid-2026 amid warming seas, says WMO
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has signalled a clear shift in equatorial Pacific conditions: sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) ar...
Rising temperatures put India’s rice farming at risk, says FAO-WMO report
A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) — titled "Extreme Heat and Agr...
West Asia tensions and oil supply disruption may push Asian economies towards faster renewable shift: Jefferies
A report by financial services firm Jefferies assessed that ongoing tensions in West Asia and the disruption to the Strait of Hormuz — a cri...
Net FDI jumps to 45-month high in February 2026, breaking six-month negative streak
Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India turned sharply positive in February 2026, reaching $4.6 billion — the highest net FDI figure ...
RBI highlights mixed economic trends in India as West Asia crisis impacts demand, supply
The Reserve Bank of India's April 2026 Bulletin identified a pattern of mixed economic trends in India, with demand conditions remaining bro...
Mines Ministry announce ₹5,000 crore incentive scheme for states to spur blocks’ auction, operationalisation
The Ministry of Mines announced a Rs 5,000 crore incentive mechanism for states and union territories to accelerate mining sector reforms, i...
China's DeepSeek releases long-awaited new AI model
China's leading AI laboratory released its DeepSeek V4 series, described as the most significant model release from the company since DeepSe...
Trump says U.S. in no rush but 'clock is ticking' for Iran
The United States indicated it was in no hurry to resolve its military standoff with Iran, while simultaneously warning that "the clock is t...
Warming US-Pakistan ties may temper India’s ‘muscular’ counter-terror response—American ex-envoy Juster
A former US Ambassador to India, speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, cautioned that improving US-Pakistan diplomatic relations c...
China slaps export curbs on European firms over Taiwan arms sales
China added seven European entities to its export control blacklist, prohibiting the export of "dual-use items" to these companies on ground...
What is 100% ethanol blending? | Explained
India has intensified its push toward 100% ethanol fuel (E100) for road vehicles and is simultaneously advancing the use of ethanol as a fee...
Oil prices up 1% amid continued stalemate on US-Iran talks, closure of Strait of Hormuz
Brent crude oil prices rose above $106 per barrel as the stalemate in US-Iran negotiations continued, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a ...
Meta sets up automatic blocking for govt., police-referred content
Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — has established an automatic, near-instantaneous content blocking system for content r...
Seed, pesticide laws nearly ready; likely to be tabled in next Parliament session: Chouhan
Draft legislation to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Insecticides Act, 1968 is near finalisation and is expected to be tabled in the nex...
Rupee ends 22 paise weaker at 94.23 against U.S. dollar
The Indian rupee depreciated by 22 paise to close at 94.23 per US dollar on April 24, 2026, extending a week-long losing streak driven by gl...
Agro-forestry will be renamed as ‘tree-based farming’, says Shivraj
The Agriculture Ministry announced that the practice of agro-forestry would be officially renamed "tree-based farming" — a rebranding aimed ...
West Asia conflict could cause 120 bcm of LNG supply loss from 2026-2030, says International Energy Agency
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that the West Asia conflict could result in cumulative LNG (liquefied natural gas) suppl...
Industry flags concerns on draft Pesticides Management Bill
Industry stakeholders have raised targeted concerns about the Draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, which was released by the Central Gove...
Has Anthropic’s Mythos made the cure worse than the disease?
A frontier AI model named Mythos (developed by Anthropic) has demonstrated the ability to autonomously identify previously unknown software ...
India, US agree to stay engaged on trade pact after latest round of talks
An Indian delegation held in-person talks with US counterparts in Washington D.C. from April 20–23, 2026, as part of ongoing negotiations to...
India-New Zealand FTA to be signed on Monday, says PM Christopher Luxon
India and New Zealand are set to sign a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026, as confirmed by New Zealand Prime Minister Ch...
Indian seafarer safe as vessel in Iranian custody moved to safer zone
The container ship Epaminondas, seized by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, 2026, was relocated from the western to the ea...
AAP to submit letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of Raghav Chadha, others
Seven of the ten Rajya Sabha members belonging to a regional political party resigned from their party and submitted a merger application to...
India approves Rs 30 billion for Maldives under SAARC currency swap
India approved the first withdrawal of Rs 30 billion (approximately USD 360 million) for the Maldives under the INR Swap Window of the SAARC...
RBI cancels banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank
The Reserve Bank of India cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), effective close of business on April 24, 2026...
Govt misses FY26 highway construction target due to delay in land acquisition
National highway construction in FY 2025-26 stood at 9,380 km against a target of 10,000 km — the lowest construction output since FY 2017-1...
Infra projects see cost overrun of Rs 5.61 lakh crore in March
As of March 2026, cost overruns in centrally funded infrastructure projects tracked by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementati...
Forecast for strong El Nino fans worries about global crops as Iran war bites
Forecasts from multiple international climate agencies point to a strong El Nino event developing in the second half of 2026, with Japan's m...
India's wheat output likely at 110-120 mn ton in 2025-26 amid weather damage, says Food Secy
India's wheat production for the 2025-26 crop year is projected to come in between 110 and 120 million tonnes, a revision downward from the ...
Raghav Chadha joins BJP: Can he be disqualified from Rajya Sabha? What the anti-defection law says
Seven Rajya Sabha members announced their exit from their parent party and merger with another party, invoking the merger exception under Pa...
Consumption sustaining growth; predictable support essential for GDP expansion: FM
The Union Finance Ministry highlighted that domestic consumption is the primary driver of India's current economic growth, with Real Private...
India, US agree to remain engaged on trade pact: Govt
Trade negotiations between Indian and US officials concluded on April 23, 2026, with a three-day in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. — the...
Karnataka approves revised internal reservation for SCs within 15 pc quota
A special meeting of the Karnataka Cabinet cleared a revised internal reservation formula for Scheduled Castes within the overall 15% SC quo...
India growth expected at 6.5% as country 'most directly impacted' by West Asia crisis: Gita Gopinath
India's GDP growth for the current fiscal year is projected at approximately 6.5%, placing it among the fastest-growing major economies glob...
‘West Asia war to impact India’s strong consumption growth’
The ongoing West Asia conflict has begun to exert measurable pressure on India's domestic consumption growth, which had otherwise remained a...
Setback for forces as NaVIC goes down to 3 sats; ex-IAF chief calls desi navigation system a 'failure'
India's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NaVIC) system fell to only 3 operational satellites as of March 13, 2026, dropping below the m...
Indian Navy lists Hormuz as ‘primary area’ of interest, one of the key ‘choke points’
The Indian Navy formally listed the Strait of Hormuz as a "primary area" of maritime interest in its published maritime security strategy, e...
Space dominance key to future warfare, says CDS; DRDO chief urges whole-of-nation push to close gaps with rivals
At the Indian DefSpace Symposium, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) stated that space dominance has become central to future warfare, warning...
China in mind, India and Japan move to deepen defence ties
India and Japan held the 8th Army-to-Army Staff Talks (April 22-24, 2026, in Japan), with both sides reviewing ongoing defence collaboration...
Scaling climate adaptation from policy to grassroots
With COP30 having concluded in Belém (Brazil) and COP31 approaching, the international community faces its first major political test of whe...
Pathogens without payback: when sharing isn’t caring
The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025 — a landmark global treaty on pandemic prevention, prepar...
Domestic work and its quest for recognition
A recent analysis highlights the persistent struggle of domestic workers in India to achieve legal recognition, formal employment protection...
Repo rate hike not on the cards, for now, says Ram Singh, external member of MPC
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% at its April 2026 meeting, maintain...
Caught in crossfire: 22 Indians on ships attacked by Iran in Strait of Hormuz
Approximately 22 Indian nationals aboard ships were caught in hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's assertion of strict contr...
ASI begins drilling into Konark Sun Temple to remove 100-year-old British-era sand
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun drilling into the Jagamohan (assembly hall) of the 13th-century Konark Sun Temple in Odis...
UP’s Shekha Jheel joins Ramsar List, India nears milestone of 100 sites
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, was designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance on April 22, ...
Mitigate arsenic & fluoride contamination in groundwater, NGT tells states
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a directive on April 17, 2026, ordering all state governments to implement measures to mitigate ars...
‘It will be a message of stability in a turbulent world’: New Delhi to host fourth India-Africa Forum Summit next month
New Delhi will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) from May 28 to 31, 2026 — more than a decade after the third edition was ...
India notifies online gaming rules: Here is what you need to know
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines an...
Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit in Delhi: Here’s what to know of past editions and outcomes
The fourth edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28–31, 2026, under the theme "En...
INCOIS flags rising marine heatwaves in Arabian Sea, warns of ecological impact
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has flagged a significant and rising trend of marine heatwaves (MHWs) in ...
Early signs of deceleration evident in select economic indicators due to West Asia war, says RBI bulletin
Select high-frequency economic indicators released in April 2026 showed early but measurable signs of deceleration in India's economic activ...
Pakistan should clamp down on terror groups like LeT, JeM: U.S. lawmaker
On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack (April 22, 2025), the Indian Embassy in Washington organised an exhibition titled "Hu...
Carbon costs for cement and aluminium to rise as India's new climate rules tighten by FY2027: ICRA ESG
India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) has entered its first compliance phase for seven energy-intensive sectors, with cement and alumi...
RBI sees growth, inflation risks from escalating US-Iran war
India's central bank, at its April 6–8, 2026 Monetary Policy Committee meeting, kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and explicitly ...
Two Pakistanis to be China’s first foreign astronauts: reports
China's Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced in April 2026 the selection of two Pakistani Air Force pilots — Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurra...
War at machine speed: How AI became a decisive force in US-Israel conflict with Iran
The US military's use of the Maven Smart System — an AI-driven targeting platform built by software company Palantir Technologies and runnin...
Rodrigo Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm charges
On April 23, 2026, the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed all charges against former Philippine ...
Israel-Iran LIVE: Trump orders U.S. Navy to 'shoot, kill' small boats laying mines in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy seized two foreign-flagged container vessels — MSC Francesca and Epaminondas — in the S...
Military pushes for private participation in space, more Indian satellites. ‘Can’t rely on single entity’
Senior defence officials have called for accelerated private sector participation in India's military space programme, emphasising that Indi...
Trump orders U.S. military to 'shoot and kill' Iranian small boats choking Strait of Hormuz
The US President directed the Navy to "shoot and kill" any Iranian small boats found laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, issuing the o...
Manipur rights group opposes powers to lower-ranked police officers under UAPA
On April 22, 2026, the Manipur Home Department issued a notification designating the Administrative Secretary (Home) as the "Designated Auth...
U.S. military says it seizes another oil tanker associated with Iran
The US military seized the Guinea-flagged oil tanker Majestic X in the Indian Ocean on April 23, 2026, on grounds of its association with Ir...
Iran says won't reopen Hormuz if U.S. upholds naval blockade
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to commercial traffic until the Unit...
Mint Explainer | Is India's wheat export push a good idea?
India has reopened wheat exports after a four-year ban, authorising the export of 2.5 million tonnes (25 lakh MT) of wheat and 5 lakh tonnes...
RBI's state of economy report flags upside risks to inflation due to supply shock and weather uncertainties
The RBI's State of the Economy report flagged significant upside risks to domestic inflation, primarily from supply-side disruptions rather ...
State govts taking steps towards UCC implementation based on Constitution: Union minister
Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to enforce the Uniform Civil Code, with effect from January 27, 2025, following pass...
Jaishankar says India-Africa Forum Summit-IV to shape next phase of partnership
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) will be held in New Delhi in May 2026, in col...
West Asia conflict, supply chain disruptions may create challenges to economy: RBI bulletin
The Reserve Bank of India's April 2026 Bulletin warned that the West Asia conflict, if prolonged, could generate significant supply chain di...
India's digital currency push targets its leaky welfare system
The Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) — India's digital rupee (e₹) — is being piloted for welfare and subsidy payments to improve efficie...
Watch: Donald Trump should lift the blockade | The Hindu Editorial
As both the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iran's counter-closure of the Strait of Hormuz remain in force, diplomatic voices are urg...
India-UK discuss tech, terror & security as both NSAs meet, affirm growing ‘momentum’ in defence ties
India's National Security Adviser (NSA) and his UK counterpart, Jonathan Powell, held the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on...
Women entry in Sabarimala: Supreme Court says it won’t rely on ‘WhatsApp University’ in religious freedom cases
A nine-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court is hearing a reference arising from the Sabarimala review petitions, examining the br...
Government Strengthens MSP Procurement in Chhattisgarh; Launches First-Ever Structured Pulse Procurement in Bihar under Atmanirbhar Mission
Under the PM-AASHA scheme, procurement operations for chana (chickpea) and masoor (lentil) at Minimum Support Price (MSP) have been signific...
Co-develop and co-produce with India in niche tech for secured national interests and global stability & resilience: Raksha Mantri to German industry captains in Munich
The Ministry of Defence issued a policy emphasis calling for foreign defence partners to co-develop and co-produce niche and critical techno...
India 'tough nut to crack', says USTR Greer as negotiators wrap up trade talks round
A 12-member Indian delegation led by Darpan Jain, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, concluded three days of trade negotiat...
Forest Rights Act supersedes previous court orders: Allahabad High Court on Tharu community rights
The Allahabad High Court, in a judgment dated April 21, 2026, quashed a 2021 order by the District Level Committee (DLC) of Lakhimpur Kheri ...
Defining El Niño signature may emerge by next month, says Japan-based scientist
Scientists tracking the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system have indicated that a defining El Niño signature in the tropical Pacific ...
Societies embrace gene therapy but resist genetic change in crops
A growing body of research highlights a pronounced societal inconsistency: therapeutic gene modification (gene therapy) in human medicine is...
Rajnath in Germany: Defence cooperation pacts inked, talks held
On April 22, 2026, India and Germany signed two defence cooperation instruments in Berlin: the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an...
Rail corridor for Odisha bauxite mines days after tribal-police clash
On April 7, 2026, violent clashes broke out between tribal villagers and police in Kantamal and nearby villages in Rayagada district, Odisha...
Mahanadi tribunal gives last opportunity to Odisha, Chhattisgarh to settle river water dispute
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) gave Odisha and Chhattisgarh a final opportunity to settle their long-standing river water dispu...
West Asia conflict poses challenges to Indian economy via number of channels: RBI’s Malhotra in MPC minutes
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlighted that the ongoing West Asia conflict poses challenges to the Indian economy through several trans...
Suresh Babu assumes office as Chairman & Managing Director of BHAVINI
P.A. Suresh Babu, a Distinguished Scientist of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of th...
Govt claims women winning unreserved panchayat seats in ‘significant numbers’
Parliament data tabled in response to a question revealed that women are winning panchayat seats in "significant numbers" even in constituen...
State capex hits 2.7% of GDP under SASCI scheme: Report
A State Bank of India (SBI) Research report released in April 2026 found that state capital expenditure has risen to 2.7% of GDP in FY2024–2...
Smartphones emerge as India's export champions in FY26
Smartphones emerged as India's single largest export category in FY26, surpassing traditional champions such as petroleum products and engin...
First India-Japan AI Strategic Dialogue held; both sides seek avenues of cooperation
The first India-Japan AI Strategic Dialogue was held in Mumbai on 21 April 2026, co-chaired by Amit A. Shukla (Joint Secretary, Cyber Diplom...
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary of Aligarh gets a global tag, taking India's tally of protected wetlands to 99
The Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, mak...
Heatwaves will become a major threat to Indian rice production, Ganges and Indus River basin face the most intense risk: FAO-WMO report
A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) titled *Extreme Heat and Agric...
Iran fires at 3 container ships near Hormuz; one of them signalling Gujarat as destination
Iranian IRGC naval forces fired upon three container ships near the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, 2026, seizing two of them — MSC Francesca ...
MPC meeting minutes: RBI governor flags inflation risks from energy prices, West Asia conflict & a potential El Niño
Minutes of the April 2026 MPC meeting revealed a detailed risk assessment of three convergent inflation threats: the West Asia conflict, glo...
How electricity trading happens in India, and why a restructuring is on the cards
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has issued draft regulations — the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Power Mar...
2 accidents, 34 deaths, a suo motu case: Why SC used its ‘complete justice’ powers to fix the highways
Two major road accidents in November 2025 — one in Phalodi district, Rajasthan (killing 15 people on the Bharatmala Expressway) and one in R...
One year after Pahalgam, what has changed in Army strategy
On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists; five armed attackers targeted...
Iran attacks ships in Strait of Hormuz: 3 signals this sends about the war
Iran's IRGC launched coordinated attacks on at least three merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, 2026, including gunfire on ...
Khaleda Zia’s funeral: Jaishankar meets Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, hands over PM Modi’s condolence letter
India's External Affairs Minister visited Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, signalling diplomatic...
INS Nireekshak arrives in Colombo for India–Sri Lanka diving exercise
INS Nireekshak, an Indian Navy Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel, arrived at Colombo on 22 April 2026 to participate in IN-SLN DIVE...
India decides to import 2.5 million tonnes of urea at $935 & $959/tonne
India has decided to import 2.5 million tonnes of urea through an emergency global tender issued by Indian Potash Limited (IPL), the state-r...
Ukraine has asked Turkiye to host a Zelenskiy-Putin meeting, Foreign Minister says
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Kyiv has formally requested Turkiye to host a direct summit between the Ukrainian an...
It’s an idea whose time has come: Oil Ministry on higher ethanol blending
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has described higher ethanol blending beyond 20% as "an idea whose time has come," indicating stro...
Home Ministry notifies 14 more seaports for e‑visa entry
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a Gazette notification adding 14 new seaports to India's list of designated Immigration Check Posts (ICP...
India’s textile exports rise 2.1% in FY26 to ₹3.16 lakh crore, led by RMG
India's textile exports (including handicrafts) grew 2.1% in FY 2025-26 to ₹3,16,334.9 crore, up from ₹3,09,859.3 crore in FY 2024-25, accor...
India’s urea stock at 4-year low ahead of kharif sowing season
India's urea stocks have fallen to a four-year low as the country approaches the critical kharif sowing season, raising concerns about adequ...
Extreme heat threatens global food systems, UN agencies warn
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a landmark joint report on World Earth ...
MeitY notifies online gaming rules; norms to come into effect on May 1
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, which wil...
India-bound ship among two vessels ‘seized’ by Iran Guards in Strait of Hormuz
The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Epaminondas, en route from Dubai to Mundra Port in Gujarat, was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guar...
Bring in law to regulate use of mobile phone by children: panel
A state-level commission in Kerala has recommended that the central government enact a dedicated law to regulate children's use of mobile ph...
Unwrapping India’s plastic packaging problem: from boom to crisis
Transparent plastic packaging has driven extraordinary commercial growth — enabling longer shelf lives, supply chain efficiencies, and consu...
Govt. alters aviation fuel norms to allow for blending with non-petroleum sources
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Amendment Order, 2026, dated April 17, ...
Intensifying extreme heat events raise risks to agri-food systems, says report
A joint report titled *Extreme Heat and Agriculture* released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the W...
There’s no Republic of China president, says Beijing after Taiwan’s Lai is forced to cancel Africa visit
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te was compelled to cancel a planned five-day visit to Eswatini — Taiwan's sole diplomatic ally in Africa — aft...
Heat, health, and the gaps in preparedness
India's heat crisis is deepening — recent analysis identifies significant gaps in national preparedness for heat-related illness and mortali...
Iran seizes two ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire
Hours after the United States extended a ceasefire arrangement with Iran, Iranian forces seized two commercial vessels — the MSC Francesca (...
Caution at MPC as war muddies view
The minutes of the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) April 2026 meeting (held April 6–8, 2026) revealed that members v...
‘India can play meaningful role in fostering peace in West Asia, everything has its time’—Rajnath Singh
India's Defence Minister, speaking in Berlin, stated that India could play a meaningful role in fostering peace in West Asia, while acknowle...
Three vessels hit by gunfire in Strait of Hormuz, crews safe
At least three merchant vessels were struck by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz, with crews reported safe; one vessel, hit 15 nautical miles ...
Iran tankers go dark to sail past US blockade laden with crude
Despite a US naval blockade of Iranian ports, at least 34 Iran-linked tankers and gas carriers successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz b...
2026 could see a super El Nino and record-breaking global temperatures
Climate scientists and major forecasting agencies are warning that a "super" El Niño event could develop by mid-to-late 2026, with the poten...
India’s online gaming rules to take effect on 1 May; most games exempt from registration
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 were notified on April 22, 2026, and are set to come into force on May 1, 2026, op...
Will a hypothetical change in rules on women’s entry amount to 'invasion', Supreme Court asks in Sabarimala case
A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, is hearing review petitions against the landmark...
India, Germany deepen defence ties as Rajnath Singh holds key talks with Boris Pistorius in Berlin
India's Defence Minister held bilateral talks with his German counterpart in Berlin (April 21–23, 2026), during a three-day official visit t...
Goodwill is the only saviour for Indian exporters hoping for U.S. tariff refunds
Following the US Supreme Court's February 20, 2026 ruling that struck down reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Econ...
India likely to grow 7% in FY27 on domestic demand, investments; inflation to remain in range: EAC-PM chairman Dev
The Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), S. Mahendra Dev, stated that India is likely to grow at 7% in ...
World Earth Day 2026: Telangana’s Chenchu adivasis resist forcible relocation from Amrabad Tiger Reserve
On World Earth Day 2026, the Chenchu adivasis — a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) — intensified their resistance to forced reloc...
India seen to line up three buffers for its economy amid the Iran storm: Fitch unit
BMI Research (a unit of Fitch Solutions) identified three strategic buffers India is deploying to protect its economy from the spillover eff...
Govt overhauls six-decade-old sugarcane law; seeks comments on draft by May 20
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has circulated a draft Sugarcane (Control) Order, 2026, proposing to repeal a...
Gujarat-bound ship among two vessels seized by Iran near Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two container ships — the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epamin...
Hormuz crisis casts long shadow on India growth, inflation risks rise: RBI MPC minutes
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its April 2026 meeting (April 6–8), kept the benchmark repo rate unchanged a...
RBI proposes measures to strengthen Prepaid Payment Instruments framework
The Reserve Bank of India issued a draft framework proposing specific security and operational measures for Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI...
The K-pop cash flow: South Korean beats power India's FDI remix
The South Korean President's State Visit to New Delhi (April 19–21, 2026) catalysed a major push for large-scale South Korean Foreign Direct...
DPIIT rolls out multi-sectoral regulatory relaxations to bolster industrial supply chains
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced a package of multi-sectoral regulatory relaxations to ensure u...
West Asia crisis, inflation weighed on RBI panel’s decision on interest rate: MPC minutes
The minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held April 6–8, 2026 (the 60th MPC meeting) revealed that all six members voted u...
I-PAC raid case: Supreme Court pulls up Mamata Banerjee, says a CM can't just walk in during a probe
The Supreme Court of India issued sharp observations in a case arising from a state executive's intervention during an ongoing central agenc...
Agriculture exports up 2.8 pc to USD 52.55 bn in 2025-26
India's agricultural and allied product exports reached USD 52.55 billion in FY2025-26, registering a 2.8% growth over the previous year — a...
India likely to breach budgeted fiscal deficit target for FY27: BMI
BMI Research (a unit of Fitch Solutions) has projected India's fiscal deficit for FY2026-27 to reach 4.5% of GDP, exceeding the government's...
RBI issues Draft Master Direction on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), 2026
The Reserve Bank of India released a draft Master Direction on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), 2026, for public consultation — replacing...
Minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee Meeting, April 6 to 8, 2026
The 60th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), held during April 6–8, 2026, unanimously voted to keep the policy repo rate unchang...
Digital Payments – E-mandate Framework, 2026
The Reserve Bank of India issued the Digital Payments – E-Mandate Framework, 2026 (RBI/DPSS/2026-27/396), consolidating eight earlier circul...
India’s LPG crisis is the wake-up call it cannot ignore
India's structural vulnerability in cooking fuel supply was sharply exposed in early 2026 when geopolitical disruptions in the Gulf triggere...
Lunar governance should be multilateral
As commercial lunar missions accelerate and multiple nations pursue Moon landings, a critical governance vacuum is emerging: who has the rig...
MeitY moots stricter disclosure norms for AI-generated content, proposes tweaks to IT rules
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed an amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guideli...
WTO accepts request of India, Taipei to defer ICT import duty dispute ruling until Oct 2026
At a meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in Geneva on April 21, 2026, the DSB accepted a joint request from India and Chinese...
On the Yashwant Varma probe’s future
A sitting High Court judge against whom a formal statutory inquiry had been initiated under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 tendered resignat...
Iran says tanker defied US blockade; Maritime data links it to India
The tanker Felicity, operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), dropped anchor near Sikka on Gujarat's coast — a key crude-hand...
Expert Explains | Why China’s new Atlas drone swarm system could worry India and the world
In late March 2026, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) publicly demonstrated the Atlas drone swarm operations system — a mobile, vehicle...
The Strait of Hormuz blockade, explained
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, 2026, citing the United States' refusal to lift its naval blockade of Irania...
How the Pahalgam attack forced a radical security shift in J&K
On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam (Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir) killed 26 civilians — 25 tourist...
Resolution 47 on Kashmir: When India ran into ‘power politics’ at the UN
UN Security Council Resolution 47, adopted on 21 April 1948, became a defining early test of independent India's engagement with internation...
US-Iran diplomatic road long, arduous but why ‘grand bargain’ remains the goal
Peace talks between the US and Iran have stalled, with the administration holding out for a "grand bargain" rather than incremental agreemen...
How a U.S.-Iran deal over Hormuz unravelled
A two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, agreed on April 7, 2026, began unravelling within days, driven by two unresolved disputes: the...
Fossil fuel generation in India, China falls for first time this century: Report
Fossil fuel-based electricity generation declined simultaneously in both India and China in 2025 — for the first time this century — driven ...
India, South Korea expand shipbuilding ties, target ₹2.2 lakh crore maritime push
India and South Korea formalised a comprehensive maritime and shipbuilding partnership framework titled VOYAGES (Vision for Operation of Yar...
Japan overhauls post-World War II pacifist military approach, lifts restrictions on defence exports
On April 21, 2026, the cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi approved the lifting of a near-complete ban on lethal weapons expor...
Development initiatives, capacity building will be in focus at fourth India-Africa Forum Summit
Preparations for the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) are underway, with India holding consultations with African partner countrie...
Renewable energies overtook global electricity demand last year, led by solar growth in India, China
For the first time in the modern power system, clean power generation growth exceeded total global electricity demand growth in 2025, accord...
India’s seafood exports cross ₹72,325.82 crore in FY26 on shrimp led growth, market diversification
India's marine product exports reached an all-time high of ₹72,325.82 crore (approximately USD 8.28 billion) in FY2025-26, according to prov...
Japan approves scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports in a change of its postwar pacifist policy
Japan's Cabinet approved a new defence export guideline on April 21, 2026, formally scrapping the longstanding ban on the export of lethal w...
West Asia crisis impacts India’s trade, oil imports and remittances: RBI Governor
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, speaking at Princeton University on April 18, 2026, outlined the multi-channel economic impact of the West Asi...
FTA partners drive India’s trade surge as reliance on non-FTA countries dips, says NITI Aayog report
NITI Aayog released the seventh edition of its Trade Watch Quarterly report covering October–December (Q3) of FY 2025-26, highlighting a dra...
Ahead of nuclear non-proliferation treaty meet, China & NATO train guns on each other
The 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is scheduled from April 27 to May 22, 2026, at UN...
U.S. positive on Iran deal but talks still uncertain as ceasefire end nears
The United States expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of a new nuclear agreement with Iran, but negotiations remained deeply u...
Taiwan President cancels trip to Africa, accuses China of applying ‘coercive actions’ to prevent visit
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te cancelled a planned visit to Eswatini — Taiwan's sole remaining diplomatic ally in Africa — scheduled for Ap...
India-hosted Quad leaders’ summit overdue, but no invites sent yet as US signals low interest
India's turn to host a Quad Leaders' Summit remains pending; the summit was not convened in 2025 as scheduled, making it overdue by the time...
Pakistan extends airspace closure for Indian planes till May 24
Pakistan extended the closure of its airspace for all Indian-registered civilian and military aircraft until May 24, 2026 (2359 hrs UTC on M...
India’s GDP growth to slow to 6.4% in FY27 amid geopolitical headwinds: UN report
The UN-ESCAP's Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026 projected India's GDP growth to slow to 6.4 percent in FY2026-27 from...
Iran-Israel war LIVE: Yet to receive formal response on Iranian participation in talks: Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar
The Ministry of External Affairs reported that over 11.6 lakh (1.16 million) Indian passengers have returned from the West Asia conflict zon...
India's economy projected to grow at 6.4% this year: UN
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) projected India's GDP growth at 6.4 percent for 2026 (...
After Pahalgam massacre, security forces took the terror fight back to Kashmir’s jungles
Following the April 22, 2025 terror attack at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam — which killed 26 tourists — a comprehensive review of the secur...
India bats for greater Global South representation in UNSC
At the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) session on UN Security Council (UNSC) reform held at UN Headquarters in New York, India deliver...
Seafood exports up 11.2% in 2025-26
India's seafood exports reached an all-time high of Rs 72,325.82 crore (approximately $8.28 billion) in FY 2025-26, registering an 11.2 perc...
India faces inflation spillover risks from Middle East conflict: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a formal cautionary assessment warning that the ongoing conflict in West Asia (the Middle East) p...
India ramps up PNG adoption with over 5 lakh new connections
Since March 2026, more than 5.01 lakh new Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections have been gasified (supply commenced) and over 5.68 lakh custo...
RBI issues consolidated directions on Digital Payments – E-mandate framework, 2026
The Reserve Bank issued consolidated directions titled "Digital Payments – E-mandate Framework, 2026," bringing all existing instructions on...
In bid to bypass Hormuz chokepoint, Gulf countries scramble to ramp up infra
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to unauthorized vessels since March 2026, Gulf oil-producing nations are fast-tracking infrastr...
India, US continue to have 'positive, productive discussions' on trade deal
Senior US officials described ongoing India-US trade negotiations in Washington as "positive and productive," with most key issues described...
New draft rules soon on 'E85 & more' vehicles as government pushes ethanol shift
The central government is preparing to issue a fresh draft notification expanding vehicle test requirements from E85 to "E85 or more" (inclu...
India’s exports to FTA partners fall for third straight quarter: NITI Aayog data
NITI Aayog's Trade Watch quarterly report revealed that India's merchandise exports to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partner countries declined...
CSIR-IICT scientists demonstrate green biofuel route from sugarcane waste
Scientists at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, demonstrated an improved Catalytic Hydrothermal Lique...
In Focus podcast | Can a cancer therapy help treat autoimmune diseases?
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T) cell therapy, which has revolutionised the treatment of certain blood cancers, is now demonstrating sign...
India’s forests could nearly double carbon storage by 2100, study finds
A study published in the journal Nature Climate Change projects that if India achieves its National Forest Policy targets, the country's for...
Phase-I of bilateral trade agreement with US almost ready: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the first tranche (Phase-I) of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) has been...
Doval’s Riyadh visit on PM’s instructions, part of government outreach to Gulf: MEA
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval made a surprise one-day visit to Riyadh on April 19, 2026, amid escalating tensions in West Asia and co...
RBI plans to remain nimble to prevent persistent supply shock amid West Asia crisis
At Princeton University on April 18, 2026, the RBI Governor delivered a speech titled "RBI's Role in India's Growth and Navigating Global Ch...
India in touch with Iranian authorities for safe exit of its ships through Strait of Hormuz: MEA
India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that two Indian-flagged vessels — the VLCC Sanmar Herald and bulk carrier Jag Arnav — were fi...
Domestic production of oil, gas ramped up amid West Asia crisis: RBI governor
The RBI Governor, addressing an audience at Princeton University on April 18, 2026, outlined India's significant exposure to the West Asia c...
Widening CAD a concern, says Niti Report
The government's apex policy institution released its quarterly Trade Watch Report for Q3 FY26, warning that the ongoing conflict in West As...
Farm groups and civil societies urge govt not to agree imports of GM farm products amid fresh round of India-US trade talks
A coalition of farm groups and civil society organisations formally urged the central government not to agree to imports of genetically modi...
India, South Korea set $50 bn trade target; PM Modi, Lee Jae-Myung agree on 'futuristic partnership'
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in New Delhi for a three-day state visit — the first by a South Korean head of state in eight y...
Reserve bank of India partially rolls back curbs on rupee derivative deals
On April 20, 2026, the RBI partially eased restrictions on rupee derivative transactions that had been imposed in early April 2026 to curb s...
Gradual depreciation preferable to burning reserves to defend a level, says former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao
A former RBI Governor articulated a clear framework: it is preferable to allow the rupee to depreciate gradually rather than deplete foreign...
Space traffic rises: Isro performed record 140 collision-avoidance manoeuvres in 2025
The Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) 2025, released by ISRO, revealed that ISRO conducted a record 140 collision-avoidance...
Chips to ships: PM Modi and President Lee Unveil vision to double trade, launch ‘digital bridge’ between India and South Korea
During South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to India (April 20–22, 2026), both countries launched the "India–Korea Digital Bri...
Expert Explains: What plagues India-Turkey relations, and why a reset may be of common interest
India and Turkey held their 12th round of Foreign Office Consultations on April 8, 2026 in New Delhi — the first such meeting in four years ...
Why India believes a 3D glass semiconductor project is its most important chip bet
India is backing an indigenously relevant 3D glass semiconductor packaging technology, with its first advanced 3D chip packaging unit being ...
West Asia war: Impact of disruptions on global fuel supply, with potential for coal and n-power switch
The Strait of Hormuz, epicentre of the ongoing US-Iran standoff, is disrupting approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day — roughly 20%...
Expert Explains | ‘India’s fiscal federalism must be reimagined to ensure every vote carries equal weight’
Expert analysis has renewed attention on a structural tension in India's constitutional design: states that successfully controlled populati...
Nearly half of population now covered by health insurance, says govt survey
A government survey — the National Sample Survey (NSS) on Household Social Consumption: Health (75th Round, January–December 2025) — found t...
India, South Korea decide to start negotiations to upgrade economic pact
India and South Korea formally decided to resume and expedite negotiations to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CE...
India doubles wheat export quota to 5 million tonnes
Following a comprehensive review of domestic wheat production, FCI stock levels, and prevailing price trends, the government doubled the tot...
Pharma exports rose 2% to over $31 billion in FY26 despite sharp decline in March
India's pharmaceutical exports crossed $31.1 billion in FY2025–26, registering approximately 2% growth over the previous year's record of $3...
India tells South Korea to consider negotiating fresh free trade pact
At a ministerial-level meeting in April 2026, India proposed negotiating a fresh Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, seeking to replace o...
Urea use stable despite 36% rise in cropped area in A.P.
Despite a 36% increase in total cropped area in Andhra Pradesh during Rabi 2025-26, urea consumption remained almost stable — rising by only...
As Strait of Hormuz shuts again, uncertainty grips global trade & energy markets
The Strait of Hormuz has again been closed to shipping amid an escalating US-Iran standoff, with the US military establishing a maritime exc...
Sri Lanka’s Tamil parties seek sustained Indian push to realise spirit of Indo-Lanka Accord
Sri Lanka's Tamil political parties met India's Vice-President during his visit to Colombo in April 2026 and urged India to maintain sustain...
South Korea President Lee says India summit could mark turning point in ties
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in New Delhi on April 20, 2026, for a state visit — the first by a South Korean president in ei...
India looks to South Korea for missile systems, defence tech as PM Modi meets President Lee
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited India on April 20–22, 2026 — the first presidential visit from South Korea in eight years — mar...
India, South Korea working to double bilateral trade by 2030: Piyush Goyal
India and South Korea have announced a shared goal of doubling bilateral trade from approximately USD 27 billion to over USD 50 billion by 2...
PM Modi to inaugurate India's 1st greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Rajasthan
India's first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra, Balotra district, Rajasthan was scheduled for inaugurat...
Draft rules for roll-out of Ethanol 85 fuel to be notified soon
The central government confirmed that draft rules for the roll-out of Ethanol 85 (E85) fuel — a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol — will b...
Maldives requests 3rd extension of $400 million loan, India in a fix
The Maldives has formally requested a third extension of the $400 million currency swap arrangement signed with India under the SAARC Curren...
Govt doubles down on wheat exports, clears extra 2.5 million tonnes
The government approved an additional 2.5 million tonnes (MT) of wheat exports, taking India's total authorised wheat export quota for the c...
War fears push UAE to discuss currency swap line, hint at yuan oil sales if dollars dry up: WSJ report
Senior UAE officials have quietly raised with trade partners — including the US Treasury and Federal Reserve — the possibility of shifting s...
India leads in AI talent, but also brain drain & anxiety, says Stanford’s AI index report
Stanford University's 2026 AI Index Report identifies India as the world's second-largest source of top AI talent globally, with approximate...
US Opens Record Drills With Philippines as Iran War Rattles Allies
The 41st edition of Exercise Balikatan — the annual joint military exercise between the United States and the Philippines — commenced on Apr...
Fish waste finds new life as high-value biomedical material
Scientists at ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi, have developed a patent-pending process to extract high-val...
U.K. calls for 'toll-free' Strait of Hormuz
The British Foreign Secretary held diplomatic talks with Iran's Foreign Minister, urging Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for global t...
India's core sector contracts 0.4% in March, hurt by West Asia conflict
The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) declined 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026 compared to March 2025 — marking the first contraction in...
India seeks preferential market access in US for domestic goods: Piyush Goyal
India's Commerce and Industry Ministry stated that the first tranche of the proposed India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is "almost fin...
Digital arrest is a crime against human dignity: CJI
The Chief Justice of India, delivering the 22nd D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture at Bharat Mandapam on "Challenges of Cyber Crime – Role for Poli...
Aerosol, irrigation behind India’€™s slower warming than world average: Report
A recent climate study finds that India has warmed at approximately 0.2°C per decade, compared to the global average land warming rate of ap...
ISRO, TIFR sign MoU for collaboration in space science, tech, exploration
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mo...
Govt reviews rural schemes, supply chain woes to protect beneficiaries from Iran war impact
An inter-ministerial review has been convened to assess the impact of the West Asia conflict on rural welfare schemes, particularly PM-KISAN...
Ingenuity, the helicopter that flew over Mars
NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which completed its 72nd and final flight on January 18, 2024, is being studied as a model for the next ge...
West Asia crisis poses risks to India’s trade and macroeconomic stability: NITI Aayog report
A quarterly trade report by a government policy body has flagged that geopolitical tensions in West Asia pose multiple simultaneous risks to...
'From chips to ships': PM Modi hails India-South Korea ties; signs several MoUs
India and South Korea concluded a bilateral summit at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, formalising agreements across semiconductors, shipbuilding...
South Korea's Lee to seek big boost in economic ties in summit with PM Modi
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in India for a state visit on April 19, 2026 — the first presidential-level visit from South Ko...
India, South Korea to upgrade trade pact, deepen tech and supply chain ties
India and South Korea have agreed to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), originally signed in August 2009 and...
Odisha kicks off India’s 1st 3D chip packaging plant
The foundation stone for India's first advanced 3D glass semiconductor chip packaging unit was laid on April 19, 2026, at Info Valley, Bhuba...
Armed Forces eye biogas, solar to cut fuel use amid West Asia crisis
The Indian armed forces are actively exploring biogas and solar power projects on unused defence land to reduce reliance on imported fossil ...
Ahead of ‘below-normal’ monsoon, build resilience and account for costs
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued its first Long Range Forecast (LRF) for the 2026 South West Monsoon on 13 April 2026, predi...
Iran war: The fertiliser challenge India faces, and the possible way out
The ongoing conflict in West Asia, centred on Iran, has severely disrupted global fertiliser supply chains, with the effective closure of th...
Iran-Israel war live: Iran accuses U.S. of ceasefire breach, vows to 'soon respond' after U.S. destroyer hits cargo ship
The ongoing Iran-related conflict has resulted in a near-total disruption of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran hav...
U.S. Navy seizes Iranian-flagged ship near Strait of Hormuz, Tehran vows swift response
US naval forces intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, identified as the Touska, in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hor...