National Affairs

Cabinet Approves Two Mega Hydro Power Projects Worth Rs 40,175.33 Crore in Arunachal Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved two mega hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh with a combined investment of Rs 40,175.33 crore to boost renewable energy, strengthen energy security, and promote sustainable development in the North-Eastern region.

• Kalai-II HEP: Includes development of around 29 km of roads and bridges to improve local connectivity in Namsai and Anjaw Districts.
• Kamala HEP: Includes Rs 4,743.98 crore for flood moderation, Rs 1,340 crore for enabling infrastructure, and Rs 750 crore as Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for the State's equity share. Supports peak demand management, national grid balancing, and flood moderation in the Brahmaputra valley.

Cabinet Approves NBS Rates for Kharif 2026, Jaipur Metro Phase-II, and HRRL Refinery Expansion

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a series of significant proposals aimed at strengthening India's agricultural support systems, enhancing urban infrastructure, and boosting energy security.

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary Initiates Campaign to Build 'Skills Outcomes Fund' for Youth Livelihoods

Union Minister of State (IC) Jayant Chaudhary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), initiated a campaign to establish the Skills Outcomes Fund (SOF), a first-of-its-kind initiative, in New Delhi, to enhance employment opportunities for youth from low-income backgrounds across India.

• Anchor: Led by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the MSDE as the nodal implementing agency.
• Model: Uses blended finance by combining government, private, and philanthropic capital through an outcomes-based financing approach linking payments to verified employment results.
• Focus: Targets demand-driven, employer-led skilling in high-growth sectors such as IT-ITeS, BFSI, healthcare, logistics, green jobs, and electronics.
• Scale: Aims to launch as the world's largest Outcomes-Based Financing (OBF) initiative.

NITI Aayog Launches Report on 'Women's Evolving Credit Market'; Women Hold Rs 76 Lakh Crore Credit Portfolio

Nidhi Chhibber, CEO of NITI Aayog, released the second edition of its report titled "From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India's Evolving Credit Market" in New Delhi.

The report highlights that women hold a credit portfolio of Rs 76 lakh crore, accounting for 26% of total system credit with a 4.8-fold rise since 2017.

• Collaboration: Prepared under the aegis of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), developed by TransUnion CIBIL in collaboration with MicroSave Consulting (MSC).
• Penetration: Credit penetration among women increased from 19% (2017) to 36% (2025) with around 16 crore credit-active borrowers growing at a 9% CAGR.
• Potential: Nearly 45 crore credit-eligible women exist in India, with about two-thirds still unserved, indicating vast expansion scope.

India Withdraws Proposal to Host COP 33 Climate Summit 2028

India officially withdrew its proposal to host COP33 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2028, leaving South Korea as the sole bidder.

Rajat Agarwal, Joint Secretary, MoEFCC, informed the chair of the UN Asia-Pacific Group (currently Pakistan) via letter, citing a 'review of its commitments'.

• India's Proposal: PM Narendra Modi had conveyed India's proposal to host COP33 during his special address at the inauguration of the High-Level Segment (HLS) of COP28 in December 2023 in the UAE.
• Previous COP Hosting: India previously hosted only COP8 in 2002 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• About COP: It is the highest decision-making body under the UNFCCC, where Parties meet annually to assess progress on climate goals, negotiate commitments, and mobilise climate finance and action.

Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh Announces Seismological Observatory and Doppler Radar in J&K

Union Minister of State (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, announced the establishment of a Seismological Observatory in Kishtwar and a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) in Doda in Jammu and Kashmir.

He made the announcement while chairing a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) at the DC Office Complex in Doda.

• Doppler Weather Radar (DWR): Will facilitate precise, real-time monitoring of weather conditions, significantly enhancing early warning systems and strengthening disaster management under the Mission Mausam initiative.
• Seismological Observatory: Will augment India's national seismic monitoring network, improve earthquake detection and analysis, and reinforce disaster preparedness.
• Automated Weather Stations (AWS): Site selection completed for installing AWS in the remote areas of Paddar and Machail to enhance weather forecasting.

ALEMAI Launches 'Aluminium Bharat' Initiative to Boost Domestic Manufacturing and Global Competitiveness

The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) launched the 'Aluminium Bharat' initiative to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities, promote sustainable industrial growth, and position India as a global leader in aluminium production and exports.

The initiative was unveiled by Union MoS Jitin Prasada, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in New Delhi.

• Collaboration: Aims to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and global stakeholders to co-create a strategic roadmap for the sustainable growth of India's aluminium sector.
• Exhibition: ALEMAI will host 'Aluminium Bharat 2026', India's first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the entire aluminium value chain, scheduled from September 26 to 29, 2026.
• Significance: The aluminium value chain supports over 10 lakh jobs in India, and strengthening the downstream sector is vital for advancing the nation's USD 5 trillion economy and achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

NTPC Signs MoU with France's EDF for Leveraging Nuclear Power Projects

India's largest power utility, NTPC Limited, signed a strategic non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France's Électricité de France (EDF) to explore collaboration in the development of nuclear power projects in India.

The agreement was signed by Arnada Prasad Samal, CGM (Nuclear Cell), NTPC, and Vakisasi Ramany, Senior VP, International Nuclear Development, EDF.

• Feasibility: Both companies will jointly assess the feasibility and modalities of cooperation, including evaluating EDF's European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology for suitability in India.
• Implementation: Will explore opportunities for localisation for large-scale deployment, assess economic and tariff aspects, identify potential project sites, and extend technical support.
• Training: Focus on building human resource capabilities through specialised training programmes.
• About NTPC: Installed power generation capacity of over 89 GW, with an additional 32 GW under construction. Target of achieving 149 GW of total capacity by 2032, including 60 GW from Renewable Energy (RE) sources.

ICAR Constitutes Special Task Force to Strengthen Agricultural Resilience Amid Geopolitical Shifts

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted a Special Task Force (STF) to enhance India's agricultural resilience by addressing global disruptions, ensuring food and input security, and providing data-driven policy inputs amid geopolitical and climate challenges.

The first meeting was chaired by Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of DARE, MoA&FW, and Director General (DG) of ICAR.

• Background: Constituted due to geopolitical uncertainties, disruptions in global food and fertiliser supply chains, climate volatility, energy market issues, and rising input costs.
• Initiatives: Intensifying the Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) programme (launched in 2015) in 100 Aspirational Districts using Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), promoting balanced fertilizer use, mapping millet regions, and encouraging diversification through eco-fisheries.
• Technology: Focus on Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) to save 20–30% water and reduce labour costs, along with strengthening the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Agricultural Meteorology for real-time advisories.
• Governance: Nodal Officers in each Subject Matter Division (SMD) will ensure weekly monitoring and coordinated implementation.

International Affairs

India Elected to UN ECOSOC Bodies; Preeti Saran Re-elected to Key Rights Panel

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (UN) announced that India was elected by acclamation to three subsidiary bodies of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

• Re-elected: India's Ambassador Preeti Saran has been re-elected to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) for the 2027–2030 term, reinforcing India's presence in key human rights bodies.

Banking & Finance

Highlights of RBI's 1st Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy of FY27

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted the 60th and 1st Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of FY 2026-27 from April 06 to April 08, 2026 under the chairmanship of Dr. Sanjay Malhotra, Governor, RBI.

• Rationale: MPC cited heightened uncertainty after the West Asia conflict, which drove crude prices sharply higher, weakened the rupee, and disrupted trade supply chains.
• MPC Members: Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Saugata Bhattacharya, Prof. Ram Singh, Dr. Poonam Gupta, and Indranil Bhattacharyya.

Economy & Business

World Bank Upgrades India's GDP Growth Forecast to 6.6% for FY27

The World Bank (WB) released its latest "South Asia Economic Update April 2026: Working with Industrial Policy" report, slightly raising India's GDP growth forecast for FY27 to 6.6% from its previous estimate of 6.3%.

• Fiscal Indicators: Rationalisation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates is expected to support consumer demand in H1 FY27. However, high global energy prices could increase inflation and restrict household spending power.

Appointments & Resignations

Nasscom Foundation Appoints UB Pravin Rao as New Chairperson

On April 7, 2026, the Nasscom Foundation announced the appointment of UB Pravin Rao as its new Chairperson, effective immediately. He succeeds Rostow Ravanan, who completed his tenure.

• Experience: Over 35 years of experience in the technology sector, including global operations, large-scale transformations, and leadership roles.
• Key Role: Previously served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Infosys and has been associated with NASSCOM since 2014. He also served as Vice Chairperson and Chairman of NASSCOM, bringing continuity and strategic depth to the Foundation's next phase.

Obituary

First American to Summit Everest Jim Whittaker Passed Away

James Warren Whittaker, also known as Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest, passed away at the age of 97 in Port Townsend, Washington, USA. He was born on 10 February 1929 in Seattle, Washington, USA.

State News

Puducherry Election Commission Deploys 'Nila' Robot to Welcome Voters at Polling Booth

On April 8, 2026, Puducherry election authorities deployed 'Nila', a saree-clad humanoid robot, for the first time in Assembly elections at VOC Government School polling booth in Puducherry.

• Purpose: To create a 'high-tech' and welcoming environment for voters, particularly to attract younger citizens and first-time voters.
• Development: Developed by Coimbatore-based Robo Mirror. Nila was dressed in a traditional saree, greeted voters with flowers, provided booth directions, and assisted elderly and first-time voters.
• Functionality: Event-based interactive robot; detects voters via sensors; answers queries in Tamil/English with walking ability and hand waves. Designed for multiple public settings, including weddings, official functions, and elections.

Important Days at a Glance