Every day’s current affairs.

Urdu no longer mandatory for J&K revenue services; sparks rowPolity & Governance Six detained under PSA in Kashmir for ‘inciting’ students protestPolity & Governance Big blow to AAP as Chadha, 6 more Rajya Sabha MPs quit, join BJPPolity & Governance Anti-defection law won't apply to AAP MPs, say expertsPolity & Governance Incremental change: On Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency-IIIEnvironment & Ecology Paytm distances itself from Payments Bank after RBI cancels PPBL’s banking licenceEconomics US slaps 123% anti-dumping duty on Indian solar importsEconomics Opposition files new notice seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's ousterPolity & Governance Switch by Raghav Chadha, others no surprise as BJP targets new voter blocs in PunjabPolity & Governance India-US bilateral trade agreement talks progress: Digital trade, market access in focusInternational Relations Opposition files fresh Rajya Sabha notice to remove CECPolity & Governance Ex-CEA Ashok Lahiri to be next NITI Vice-ChairmanPolity & Governance 7 out of 10 AAP MPs cross over to BJP; Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, Mittal among themPolity & Governance Manipur Violence: Three killed in two separate incidents in Ukhrul districtInternal Security India assured DTAA tax benefits will continue after Supreme Court ruling, Mauritius Cabinet Note saysEconomics Statehood delay 'price for voting for National Conference': Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar AbdullahPolity & Governance Economist Ashok Lahiri from Bengal to become Niti Aayog vice-chairman, Gobardhan Das named as memberPolity & Governance Credit flows jump 38% in FY26 as RBI easing boosts demandEconomics Government to bring new seed, pesticide laws next Parliament session, says Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh ChouhanEconomics RBI cancels the Licence of Paytm Payments Bank LimitedEconomics Prolonged West Asia conflict to raise energy costs, hit trade and markets: RBI’s State of the Economy articleEconomics India’s inflation, external debt well within target levels despite global shocks: RBI GovernorEconomics Sarthi: SEBI’s Trusted Guide for Smarter InvestingEconomics RBI cancels Paytm Payments Bank licenceEconomics 73 Opposition MPs sign fresh notice to remove Gyanesh Kumar as CECPolity & Governance A sweeping new H-1B Bill has raised alarm. What does it mean for Indian students and working professionals?International Relations Mythos shock: Why regulators in India, other nations are spooked by Anthropic’s new toolScience & Technology Explained: The Odisha-Chhattisgarh Mahanadi river dispute, amid new tribunal warningPolity & Governance Explained: The Indian economy’s goldilocks scenario that wasn’tEconomics Will AAP Rajya Sabha MPs face disqualification after joining BJP? ExplainedPolity & Governance Why RBI cancelled Paytm Payments Bank’s banking licenceEconomics Opposition MPs move fresh motion seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh KumarPolity & Governance CESL starts tender process for 3,604 e-busesEconomics Centre raises wheat procurement target to 34.5 million tonnes amid erratic weatherEconomics World Bank’s IFC targets $10 billion in annual investments in India by 2030Economics India, U.S. conclude ‘constructive’ in-person talks on trade deal, but no word on deadlineInternational Relations Rupee's valuation sinks to over-a-decade low, bruised by Iran war, portfolio outflowsEconomics India hikes wheat procurement target as farm-gate prices rule lowerEconomics EU formally approves Ukraine loan and 20th sanctions package against RussiaInternational Relations CropLife demands 5-year data protection in pesticides billEconomics Indian economy remains stable despite West Asia conflict, says RBI BulletinEconomics Rajnath Singh to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers’ meet in BishkekInternational Relations El Nino may return by mid-2026 amid warming seas, says WMOEnvironment & Ecology Rising temperatures put India’s rice farming at risk, says FAO-WMO reportEnvironment & Ecology West Asia tensions and oil supply disruption may push Asian economies towards faster renewable shift: JefferiesEconomics Net FDI jumps to 45-month high in February 2026, breaking six-month negative streakEconomics RBI highlights mixed economic trends in India as West Asia crisis impacts demand, supplyEconomics Mines Ministry announce ₹5,000 crore incentive scheme for states to spur blocks’ auction, operationalisationEconomics China's DeepSeek releases long-awaited new AI modelScience & Technology Trump says U.S. in no rush but 'clock is ticking' for IranInternational Relations Warming US-Pakistan ties may temper India’s ‘muscular’ counter-terror response—American ex-envoy JusterInternational Relations China slaps export curbs on European firms over Taiwan arms salesInternational Relations What is 100% ethanol blending? | ExplainedScience & Technology Oil prices up 1% amid continued stalemate on US-Iran talks, closure of Strait of HormuzEconomics Meta sets up automatic blocking for govt., police-referred contentPolity & Governance Seed, pesticide laws nearly ready; likely to be tabled in next Parliament session: ChouhanEconomics Rupee ends 22 paise weaker at 94.23 against U.S. dollarEconomics Agro-forestry will be renamed as ‘tree-based farming’, says ShivrajEconomics West Asia conflict could cause 120 bcm of LNG supply loss from 2026-2030, says International Energy AgencyInternational Relations Industry flags concerns on draft Pesticides Management BillPolity & Governance Has Anthropic’s Mythos made the cure worse than the disease?Science & Technology India, US agree to stay engaged on trade pact after latest round of talksInternational Relations India-New Zealand FTA to be signed on Monday, says PM Christopher LuxonInternational Relations Indian seafarer safe as vessel in Iranian custody moved to safer zoneInternational Relations AAP to submit letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of Raghav Chadha, othersPolity & Governance India approves Rs 30 billion for Maldives under SAARC currency swapInternational Relations RBI cancels banking licence of Paytm Payments BankEconomics Govt misses FY26 highway construction target due to delay in land acquisitionEconomics Infra projects see cost overrun of Rs 5.61 lakh crore in MarchEconomics Forecast for strong El Nino fans worries about global crops as Iran war bitesEnvironment & Ecology India's wheat output likely at 110-120 mn ton in 2025-26 amid weather damage, says Food SecyEconomics Raghav Chadha joins BJP: Can he be disqualified from Rajya Sabha? What the anti-defection law saysPolity & Governance Consumption sustaining growth; predictable support essential for GDP expansion: FMEconomics India, US agree to remain engaged on trade pact: GovtInternational Relations Karnataka approves revised internal reservation for SCs within 15 pc quotaPolity & Governance India growth expected at 6.5% as country 'most directly impacted' by West Asia crisis: Gita GopinathEconomics

‘West Asia war to impact India’s strong consumption growth’Economics Setback for forces as NaVIC goes down to 3 sats; ex-IAF chief calls desi navigation system a 'failure'Science & Technology Indian Navy lists Hormuz as ‘primary area’ of interest, one of the key ‘choke points’International Relations Space dominance key to future warfare, says CDS; DRDO chief urges whole-of-nation push to close gaps with rivalsScience & Technology China in mind, India and Japan move to deepen defence tiesInternational Relations Scaling climate adaptation from policy to grassrootsEnvironment & Ecology Pathogens without payback: when sharing isn’t caringScience & Technology Domestic work and its quest for recognitionSocial Issues Repo rate hike not on the cards, for now, says Ram Singh, external member of MPCEconomics Caught in crossfire: 22 Indians on ships attacked by Iran in Strait of HormuzInternational Relations ASI begins drilling into Konark Sun Temple to remove 100-year-old British-era sandArt & Culture UP’s Shekha Jheel joins Ramsar List, India nears milestone of 100 sitesEnvironment & Ecology Mitigate arsenic & fluoride contamination in groundwater, NGT tells statesEnvironment & Ecology ‘It will be a message of stability in a turbulent world’: New Delhi to host fourth India-Africa Forum Summit next monthInternational Relations India notifies online gaming rules: Here is what you need to knowPolity & Governance Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit in Delhi: Here’s what to know of past editions and outcomesInternational Relations INCOIS flags rising marine heatwaves in Arabian Sea, warns of ecological impactEnvironment & Ecology Early signs of deceleration evident in select economic indicators due to West Asia war, says RBI bulletinEconomics Pakistan should clamp down on terror groups like LeT, JeM: U.S. lawmakerInternational Relations Carbon costs for cement and aluminium to rise as India's new climate rules tighten by FY2027: ICRA ESGEnvironment & Ecology RBI sees growth, inflation risks from escalating US-Iran warEconomics Two Pakistanis to be China’s first foreign astronauts: reportsInternational Relations War at machine speed: How AI became a decisive force in US-Israel conflict with IranScience & Technology Rodrigo Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm chargesInternational Relations Israel-Iran LIVE: Trump orders U.S. Navy to 'shoot, kill' small boats laying mines in Strait of HormuzInternational Relations Military pushes for private participation in space, more Indian satellites. ‘Can’t rely on single entity’Science & Technology Trump orders U.S. military to 'shoot and kill' Iranian small boats choking Strait of HormuzInternational Relations Manipur rights group opposes powers to lower-ranked police officers under UAPAInternal Security U.S. military says it seizes another oil tanker associated with IranInternational Relations Iran says won't reopen Hormuz if U.S. upholds naval blockadeInternational Relations Mint Explainer | Is India's wheat export push a good idea?Economics RBI's state of economy report flags upside risks to inflation due to supply shock and weather uncertaintiesEconomics State govts taking steps towards UCC implementation based on Constitution: Union ministerPolity & Governance Jaishankar says India-Africa Forum Summit-IV to shape next phase of partnershipInternational Relations West Asia conflict, supply chain disruptions may create challenges to economy: RBI bulletinEconomics India's digital currency push targets its leaky welfare systemEconomics Watch: Donald Trump should lift the blockade | The Hindu EditorialInternational Relations India-UK discuss tech, terror & security as both NSAs meet, affirm growing ‘momentum’ in defence tiesInternational Relations Women entry in Sabarimala: Supreme Court says it won’t rely on ‘WhatsApp University’ in religious freedom casesPolity & Governance Government Strengthens MSP Procurement in Chhattisgarh; Launches First-Ever Structured Pulse Procurement in Bihar under Atmanirbhar MissionEconomics 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 MunichInternational Relations India 'tough nut to crack', says USTR Greer as negotiators wrap up trade talks roundInternational Relations

Forest Rights Act supersedes previous court orders: Allahabad High Court on Tharu community rightsEnvironment & Ecology Defining El Niño signature may emerge by next month, says Japan-based scientistEnvironment & Ecology Societies embrace gene therapy but resist genetic change in cropsScience & Technology Rajnath in Germany: Defence cooperation pacts inked, talks heldInternational Relations Rail corridor for Odisha bauxite mines days after tribal-police clashPolity & Governance Mahanadi tribunal gives last opportunity to Odisha, Chhattisgarh to settle river water disputePolity & Governance West Asia conflict poses challenges to Indian economy via number of channels: RBI’s Malhotra in MPC minutesEconomics Suresh Babu assumes office as Chairman & Managing Director of BHAVINIScience & Technology Govt claims women winning unreserved panchayat seats in ‘significant numbers’Polity & Governance State capex hits 2.7% of GDP under SASCI scheme: ReportEconomics Smartphones emerge as India's export champions in FY26Economics First India-Japan AI Strategic Dialogue held; both sides seek avenues of cooperationInternational Relations Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary of Aligarh gets a global tag, taking India's tally of protected wetlands to 99Environment & Ecology Heatwaves will become a major threat to Indian rice production, Ganges and Indus River basin face the most intense risk: FAO-WMO reportEnvironment & Ecology Iran fires at 3 container ships near Hormuz; one of them signalling Gujarat as destinationInternational Relations MPC meeting minutes: RBI governor flags inflation risks from energy prices, West Asia conflict & a potential El NiñoEconomics How electricity trading happens in India, and why a restructuring is on the cardsEconomics 2 accidents, 34 deaths, a suo motu case: Why SC used its ‘complete justice’ powers to fix the highwaysPolity & Governance One year after Pahalgam, what has changed in Army strategyInternal Security Iran attacks ships in Strait of Hormuz: 3 signals this sends about the warInternational Relations Khaleda Zia’s funeral: Jaishankar meets Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, hands over PM Modi’s condolence letterInternational Relations INS Nireekshak arrives in Colombo for India–Sri Lanka diving exerciseInternational Relations India decides to import 2.5 million tonnes of urea at $935 & $959/tonneEconomics Ukraine has asked Turkiye to host a Zelenskiy-Putin meeting, Foreign Minister saysInternational Relations It’s an idea whose time has come: Oil Ministry on higher ethanol blendingEconomics Home Ministry notifies 14 more seaports for e‑visa entryPolity & Governance India’s textile exports rise 2.1% in FY26 to ₹3.16 lakh crore, led by RMGEconomics India’s urea stock at 4-year low ahead of kharif sowing seasonEconomics Extreme heat threatens global food systems, UN agencies warnEnvironment & Ecology MeitY notifies online gaming rules; norms to come into effect on May 1Polity & Governance India-bound ship among two vessels ‘seized’ by Iran Guards in Strait of HormuzInternational Relations Bring in law to regulate use of mobile phone by children: panelPolity & Governance Unwrapping India’s plastic packaging problem: from boom to crisisEnvironment & Ecology Govt. alters aviation fuel norms to allow for blending with non-petroleum sourcesEconomics Intensifying extreme heat events raise risks to agri-food systems, says reportEnvironment & Ecology There’s no Republic of China president, says Beijing after Taiwan’s Lai is forced to cancel Africa visitInternational Relations Heat, health, and the gaps in preparednessScience & Technology Iran seizes two ships in Strait of Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefireInternational Relations Caution at MPC as war muddies viewEconomics ‘India can play meaningful role in fostering peace in West Asia, everything has its time’—Rajnath SinghInternational Relations Three vessels hit by gunfire in Strait of Hormuz, crews safeInternational Relations Iran tankers go dark to sail past US blockade laden with crudeInternational Relations 2026 could see a super El Nino and record-breaking global temperaturesEnvironment & Ecology India’s online gaming rules to take effect on 1 May; most games exempt from registrationPolity & Governance Will a hypothetical change in rules on women’s entry amount to 'invasion', Supreme Court asks in Sabarimala casePolity & Governance India, Germany deepen defence ties as Rajnath Singh holds key talks with Boris Pistorius in BerlinInternational Relations Goodwill is the only saviour for Indian exporters hoping for U.S. tariff refundsEconomics India likely to grow 7% in FY27 on domestic demand, investments; inflation to remain in range: EAC-PM chairman DevEconomics World Earth Day 2026: Telangana’s Chenchu adivasis resist forcible relocation from Amrabad Tiger ReservePolity & Governance India seen to line up three buffers for its economy amid the Iran storm: Fitch unitEconomics Govt overhauls six-decade-old sugarcane law; seeks comments on draft by May 20Economics Gujarat-bound ship among two vessels seized by Iran near HormuzInternational Relations Hormuz crisis casts long shadow on India growth, inflation risks rise: RBI MPC minutesEconomics RBI proposes measures to strengthen Prepaid Payment Instruments frameworkEconomics The K-pop cash flow: South Korean beats power India's FDI remixInternational Relations DPIIT rolls out multi-sectoral regulatory relaxations to bolster industrial supply chainsEconomics West Asia crisis, inflation weighed on RBI panel’s decision on interest rate: MPC minutesEconomics I-PAC raid case: Supreme Court pulls up Mamata Banerjee, says a CM can't just walk in during a probePolity & Governance Agriculture exports up 2.8 pc to USD 52.55 bn in 2025-26Economics India likely to breach budgeted fiscal deficit target for FY27: BMIEconomics RBI issues Draft Master Direction on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), 2026Economics Minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee Meeting, April 6 to 8, 2026Economics