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Rohit Jain was appointed as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a three-year term effective from May 3, 2026. Before this appointment, he served as an Executive Director at the RBI. He succeeded T Rabi Sankar, who retired after completing his extended tenure. Under the RBI Act, 1934, the central bank is required to have exactly four Deputy Governors, ensuring a balanced structure with internal experts and external professionals. The other serving Deputy Governors are Swaminathan J, Poonam Gupta, and S C Murmu. The RBI, established in 1935 and nationalised in 1949, is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Rajesh Kumar Agarwal has been appointed as the Director (Finance) of Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) with effect from April 23, 2026. He previously served as Executive Director (Finance) at PFC and brings over 31 years of experience in the power and finance sectors. His professional journey includes roles in major organisations such as NTPC Limited, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, and Delhi Transco Limited. Since joining PFC in 2009, he has handled critical areas like corporate accounts, taxation, and fund management, making him well-suited for this leadership role.

The BoB World Lite application was launched as a collaborative initiative between Bank of Baroda and Reliance Jio to enhance financial inclusion in India. Designed specifically for feature phone users, the app enables access to digital banking services without requiring a smartphone. It supports both existing customers and new users through a self-onboarding process. This innovation is significant as it targets millions of users who rely on basic mobile devices, aligning with the Reserve Bank of India’s push for inclusive digital payment systems and expanding banking accessibility across diverse population segments.

Visakhapatnam is the location where INS Taragiri, the fifth Project 17A stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, was officially commissioned. The ceremony took place at the Naval Dockyard, highlighting the city’s importance as a key naval base on India’s eastern coast. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, the vessel reflects India’s progress in indigenous defence manufacturing. With advanced stealth features and multi-role combat capabilities, the commissioning strengthens India’s maritime security and enhances the operational readiness of its naval forces.

Sri Lanka participated with India in the fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise IN-SLN DIVEX 2026, conducted in Colombo. The exercise involved coordinated operations between the Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy, focusing on advanced underwater diving techniques, rescue missions, and salvage operations. Activities included deep-sea dives beyond 55 metres and exploration of historical shipwrecks. The collaboration also highlighted strong defence ties, with India providing medical assistance under the Aarogya Maitri initiative. Such exercises strengthen regional maritime cooperation and enhance operational capabilities between the two neighbouring countries.

In April 2026, GE Aerospace entered into a significant technical agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the co-production of F414 jet engines in India. This collaboration aims to strengthen India–U.S. defence manufacturing ties and enhance indigenous production capabilities. The engines are intended to power the Tejas Mark-2 fighter aircraft, an advanced version of India’s Light Combat Aircraft. The agreement builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2022 and reflects over four decades of partnership between the two entities in the aerospace sector, supporting India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The projected GDP growth rate for India in FY2026-27 is estimated at 6.5%, indicating a slowdown compared to the current fiscal year’s higher growth rate. This moderation is attributed to rising global crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions in West Asia, and supply chain disruptions. These factors contribute to increased inflation, higher production and transportation costs, and reduced consumer spending. Additionally, the widening current account deficit reflects higher import bills, especially for energy resources. Despite these challenges, the Indian economy remains resilient, but external pressures are expected to influence overall economic performance in the coming fiscal year.

In April 2026, Telangana introduced a large-scale AI literacy programme aimed at equipping nearly 2 million students in government schools with foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence. The initiative involves partnerships with organisations like Amazon Future Engineer and Pi Jam Foundation, ensuring both technological and educational support. The curriculum, designed by SCERT Telangana, targets students from Classes 5 to 9 and includes structured hours of AI learning annually. With additional measures such as teacher training and laptop distribution, the programme strengthens digital education infrastructure and prepares students for future technological advancements.

A global study published in May 2026 highlights the severe impact of climate change on biodiversity, projecting that 36% of terrestrial vertebrate habitats will be affected by extreme weather events by 2085. The research covered thousands of species across multiple ecosystems and revealed that rising temperatures, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods will increasingly overlap, intensifying risks to wildlife. Regions like the Amazon Basin, Africa, and Southeast Asia are particularly vulnerable. Amphibians are expected to face the highest level of exposure. These findings emphasise the urgent need for climate action and biodiversity conservation strategies worldwide.

Zerodha Fund House launched India's first target-date Life Cycle Fund series, introducing the Life Cycle Fund 2036 and Life Cycle Fund 2041. These funds are designed to help investors achieve long-term financial goals by automatically adjusting asset allocation as the target year approaches. Initially, the portfolio maintains higher exposure to growth-oriented assets such as equities and gradually shifts towards lower-risk investments like government securities. The funds also include exposure to gold and silver, providing diversification. This innovative investment approach aligns with global retirement planning practices and offers a disciplined, long-term wealth creation strategy for investors.

The second Pax Silica Summit was held in Washington, D.C., on 25–26 June 2026, bringing together representatives from 35 countries, including India, to strengthen global cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI). The summit resulted in the adoption of the Joint Statement on AI Opportunity, promoting trusted AI governance, resilient supply chains, innovation-friendly policies, and industrial collaboration. Major announcements included the launch of the Pax Pass platform for AI-related supply chains and the Stanford-led Foundry School, supported by a US$50 million commitment from the United States to strengthen AI manufacturing and workforce development.

The CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography inaugurated its Shore-Based Laboratory in Visakhapatnam to enhance India’s capabilities in coastal and ocean research. The facility focuses on studying the Eastern Coastal Margin, which is known for its geological diversity and rich potential in hydrocarbons, oil, gas, and seabed minerals influenced by Himalayan sediment deposits. The laboratory is also envisioned as a hub for skill development, innovation, and startup support, encouraging young scientists and researchers to contribute to India’s growing marine and ocean economy while strengthening scientific infrastructure along the eastern coastline.

The Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) App was launched by the Union Health Secretary to strengthen the implementation of tobacco-control regulations in educational institutions across India. The application is designed to monitor compliance with rules that prohibit the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of schools and colleges. Initially introduced as a pilot project in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra, the app is intended for nationwide rollout. Alongside the app, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tobacco sample collection was also launched to ensure scientific accuracy and support legal enforcement. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to reduce tobacco use and protect youth from nicotine addiction.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a protocol regarding the proper rendition of Vande Mataram during official events. It directed that when performed along with Jana Gana Mana, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram must be sung first. The official version has a prescribed duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds and is mandated at key government functions. During its rendition, the audience is required to stand in attention as a mark of respect, except in specific contexts such as film screenings. Educational institutions are also encouraged to begin the day with community singing.

The Mahey Tokpo-Raldho irrigation canal was inaugurated in the Union Territory of Ladakh by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on May 15, 2026. The canal, located in the high-altitude Changthang district at over 14,000 feet, was constructed to address persistent water shortages in the region. Stretching 2.10 km and supplied by Yaya Lake, the project is designed to support irrigation across nearly 100 acres of agricultural land in the Mahey region. Alongside the inauguration, a plantation drive involving 15,000 trees was also organised to promote slope stabilisation and soil conservation in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.

Jharkhand emerged as the gold medal winner in the women’s category of the National Federation Cup 2026 Para Throwball tournament. The team secured victory by defeating the host state Rajasthan with a score of 21–17 in the final held at Jhunjhunu. This achievement highlights Jharkhand’s growing presence and performance in para sports at the national level. The tournament, conducted from February 3 to 5, also acted as a selection trial for the upcoming 2nd Asian Para Throwball Championship in Malaysia, making the win particularly significant for future international representation.

The International Olympic Committee has decided to implement a ban on transgender women and athletes with Differences in Sex Development (DSD) from competing in the female category starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This decision is based on scientific findings indicating performance advantages linked to male puberty. The policy introduces mandatory biological verification through SRY gene screening to ensure fairness in women’s sports. It will apply to all future Olympic Games and aims to maintain competitive balance while ensuring that athletes are treated with dignity and respect throughout the eligibility process.

On April 28, 2026, Punjab FC defended their title by defeating Zinc Football Academy 3-0 in the final match of the AIFF Elite Youth League 2025-26. The championship final was played at the Ramsar Sahib Sports Stadium in Paddi Sura Singh, Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. After a goalless first half, Punjab FC scored three goals within a 10-minute window: Karish Soram (69th minute), captain Vishal Yadav (70th minute), and Thongram Rishikanta Singh (79th minute). Viswajeet was the goalkeeper for Punjab FC. The AIFF, established in 1937 and headquartered in New Delhi, is the national governing body for football in India.

IIT Kanpur is establishing the Centre of Excellence on Innovative and Integrated Ecosystem for Green Hydrogen (ECOGEN) under the Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024. Approved by the Uttar Pradesh Government and supported by UPNEDA, the centre will focus on green hydrogen production, storage, utilisation, and system integration. It aims to develop affordable hydrogen technologies, encourage industrial adoption, promote research and innovation, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, and support India's transition to clean energy. The initiative also contributes to the country's sustainability objectives and long-term net-zero emissions goals.

IIT Bombay is hosting the ‘Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit’ organised by the Ministry of Education as part of a broader initiative to promote deep-tech innovation in India. The event is held at the IIT Bombay Research Park and serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies developed by startups and academic institutions. It also acts as a selection stage for India’s participation in global innovation events. By bringing together startups, investors, and industry leaders, the summit aims to accelerate the commercialisation of research and strengthen India’s position in emerging technology sectors.