During a high-level visit by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to India, the two countries signed 16 Memorandums of Understanding across sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, e-mobility and advanced manufacturing. The agreements target a doubling of bilateral trade to 54 billion US dollars by 2030 and plan to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to improve market access and reduce barriers. Officials emphasised collaboration in key future sectors including semiconductors, batteries, digital trade and clean energy. The talks also reflected common efforts to stabilize supply chains and boost investment between the two large democracies.
16 MoUs signed during the visit
Targets trade to $54 billion by 2030
CEPA upgrade planned
Sectors include semiconductors and green energy
Aims to improve market access and reduce barriers
UK passes Tobacco and Vapes Bill to create smoke-free generation
The United Kingdom has passed a landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill that bans anyone born after 1 January 2009 from buying tobacco products. The rule aims to create a smoke-free generation by steadily raising the legal age each year. For now, people born before 1 January 2009 may continue to purchase tobacco, but younger generations will be blocked over time. The law applies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and covers cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. After years of debate, the draft bill was first laid in November 2024 and was approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It now awaits Royal Assent to become law.
Born on or after 1 January 2009 cannot buy tobacco in the UK.
Law applies to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Covers cigarettes, cigars and all tobacco products.
Draft was first introduced in November 2024.
Approval by both Houses; awaiting Royal Assent.
Pakistan halts $1.5 billion Sudan arms deal after Saudi objections
Pakistan has reportedly frozen a major $1.5 billion defence deal with Sudan after objections from Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters. The agreement planned to supply weapons and military jets to Sudan and was in final stages in January 2026. The move shows Gulf powers’ influence on Pakistan's defence and foreign policy. The proposal involved weapons and aircraft and was discussed amid Sudan's civil war and humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia asked Islamabad to terminate the deal after Riyadh withdrew from funding. Some Western countries advised Saudi Arabia to avoid proxy conflicts in Africa, especially Sudan and Libya. The incident underscores how regional powers shape security decisions.
Deal valued at $1.5 billion; weapons and jets involved.
Saudi Arabia objected and pressed termination.
Final negotiations were ongoing in January 2026.
Shows Gulf influence on Pakistan's security choices.
Sudan is facing a major humanitarian crisis.
Western countries advised avoidance of proxy conflicts.
Earth Day 2026 Observed on 22 April with Theme Our Power, Our Planet
Earth Day 2026 falls on 22 April and invites people worldwide to act for the planet. The day, observed globally since 1970, raises awareness on climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. The 2026 theme is Our Power, Our Planet, highlighting the role of individual and community action in building sustainable societies. In India, environmental initiatives include school campaigns, urban greening, and corporate sustainability programs. The day serves to remind governments, businesses and citizens that small daily steps — waste reduction, energy saving and responsible consumption — can contribute to meaningful environmental improvements and resilient futures.
BSE Housing Finance Index Launched to Track Sector Performance
The BSE Housing Finance Index was launched on 20 April 2026 by BSE Index Services to track the performance of housing finance companies listed in the broader market. The index focuses on firms providing home loans and related services as homes and real estate expand in India. It uses a subset of stocks from the BSE 1000 and includes only housing finance players. The index will be reconstituted twice a year, in June and December, to reflect market changes. Analysts expect the new benchmark to help investors gauge sector health and support fund flows into housing finance and affordable housing initiatives.
Index launched on 20 April 2026
Tracks housing finance companies from BSE 1000
Reconstitution twice a year: June and December
Aims to gauge sector health for investors
Supports housing finance and affordable housing funding
UN Projects India's Economy to Grow 6.4% in 2026
The United Nations ESCAP forecast India’s economy to grow by 6.4 percent in 2026 and 6.6 percent in 2027, reinforcing India's position as one of the fastest-growing major economies. The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026, released by UN ESCAP, cites strong domestic demand, services expansion, and policy support as main drivers. The report notes 7.4 percent growth in 2025, aided by rural consumption, GST rate cuts and frontloading of exports before US tariffs rose in 2025. It also mentions a modest export decline to the United States in late 2025 due to tariffs, while domestic services and rural demand supported growth.
Forecasts 6.4% growth in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027
Strong domestic demand and services growth cited
7.4% growth in 2025 noted
GST cuts and export frontloading mentioned
Exports to the US declined in late 2025 due to tariffs
SBI Projects GDP Growth at 6.8–7.1% for FY27
On 21 April 2026, the State Bank of India (SBI) released its latest growth projection, predicting a GDP expansion of 6.8 to 7.1 percent for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27). The note cites robust domestic demand, services expansion, and policy support as key drivers, despite global headwinds from energy prices and geopolitical tensions. The SBI forecast remains above many international estimates and supports expectations of steady investment, consumption and export growth. Analysts warn about risks from external shocks, inflation volatility, and fiscal consolidation, but still anticipate a healthy growth path into FY27.
India identified as cradle of Jamun evolution in new study
New research suggests that the Jamun tree, genus Syzygium, originated much earlier than previously believed, with India as a central hub of early diversification. Scientists propose an East Gondwanan origin dating back about 80 million years, challenging earlier ideas that Jamun began in Australia or Southeast Asia. Fossil records and molecular timelines show discrepancies with older estimates of around 51 million years for some lineages. The discovery relies on Miocene fossils around 20 million years old from Himachal Pradesh’s Kasauli Formation, used to re-evaluate how Syzygium spread across Asia and Africa. The study was led by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) and collaborating institutions.
Origin traced to East Gondwana about 80 million years ago.
India plays a central role in early diversification of Jamun.
Older ideas placed Jamun origins elsewhere.
Miocene fossils from Himachal Pradesh informed timelines.
BSIP led the study with collaborators.
Reevaluation of Syzygium dispersal across Asia and Africa.
Laureus World Sports Awards 2026: Alcaraz and Sabalenka Lead Winners in Madrid
The Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 were held in Madrid, Spain, recognizing the calendar year 2025 season. The ceremony gathered leading athletes and teams from around the world to celebrate sporting excellence. Tennis stars dominated the night, with Carlos Alcaraz named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after reclaiming the world number one ranking and winning multiple Grand Slam titles. Aryna Sabalenka took the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award for her consistent top results, including a US Open victory. Paris Saint-Germain was named Team of the Year for their remarkable season, while Lando Norris was also recognized for his performances in motorsport. The awards highlighted achievements across sports.
Carlos Alcaraz named Sportsman of the Year
Aryna Sabalenka named Sportswoman of the Year
Paris Saint-Germain named Team of the Year
Event held in Madrid recognizing 2025 performances
Awards cover achievements across multiple sports
ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 Opens in Cairo with Strong Indian Participation
The ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 began in Cairo, Egypt, kicking off the international shooting season for young athletes. The competition is hosted at the Egypt International Olympic City and runs across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. India has fielded a large 71-member contingent, including top junior shooters such as Anushka Thokur, Manyata Singh, Aneesha Sharma, Anvii Rathod, and Panaah Bhugra. The opening day features 25m pistol events for men and women, followed by skeet shotgun events with 75 targets. The Indian team combines experienced youth and rising talent, signaling strong future potential for India on the world stage. Support staff accompany the athletes.
ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 started in Cairo
India fields 71-member contingent
Opening day includes 25m pistol events
Skeet events feature 75 targets
Young Indian shooters cited as future prospects
IIT Madras Unveils OmegaBall, India’s First Three-Team Football Format
IIT Madras has introduced OmegaBall, a new three-team football format that marks the institute's first major entry into competitive team sports in India. The format invites three teams to play in a single match, emphasizing speed, passing and tactical coordination among rivals. The institute also proposed a national-level OmegaBall Club to promote and expand the sport across India. To mark the milestone, IIT Madras organized an inter-college OmegaBall tournament on 17 April 2026 on the campus football field with teams from Loyola College, Guru Nanak College, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, The New College, Saveetha University, YMCA College of Physical Education, and IIT Madras itself. This initiative highlights innovation beyond traditional academics.
OmegaBall is a three-team football format
IIT Madras launches India’s first OmegaBall Club plan
Inter-college tournament held on 17 April 2026
Participants included multiple Chennai institutions
India Holds 18th Civil Services Day on 21 April 2026 in New Delhi
18th Civil Services Day 2026 ceremonies were held on 21 April 2026 in New Delhi, marking efforts to recognise public service excellence. The event was hosted at Vigyan Bhawan and presided over by the Vice President of India, with senior civil servants and policymakers in attendance. The day emphasises reforms to governance, service delivery, and the use of technology to improve public outcomes. Speakers highlighted the achievements of civil servants across departments and urged continued reforms to streamline processes, improve transparency, and strengthen citizen-centric administration. Organisers noted ongoing training programs and leadership development as essential for effective governance in India.
Arthur Law Named 2026 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader
Arthur Law, co-founder and managing principal of Storefriendly Asia, has been named a 2026 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. The honor recognises leaders under 40 who contribute to business, policy, science and social impact. Law has grown Storefriendly Asia into a major tech-enabled self-storage platform serving more than 40,000 households and businesses across dense cities. His work combines entrepreneurship, technology and institutional investment to improve urban living and space efficiency. Partnerships with global firms such as Blackstone and Partners Group have expanded the company's reach. Law’s selection highlights innovative urban solutions in Asia and his broader role in sustainable development and philanthropy.
Arthur Law named WEF Young Global Leader 2026
Storefriendly Asia serves 40,000+ clients
Focus on urban space efficiency
Partnerships with Blackstone and Partners Group
Recognition for entrepreneurship and sustainability
World Creativity and Innovation Day Observed on 21 April 2026
World Creativity and Innovation Day was observed on 21 April 2026, recognizing the power of ideas in solving real-world problems. The United Nations endorses the day to promote creative thinking beyond arts, including technology, entrepreneurship, and social development. The 2026 theme, Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress, encourages individuals, communities and organizations to use innovative approaches to address climate change, health, education, and economic growth. In India, schools and startups highlighted projects that combine science, design and sustainability. The day emphasizes that small, practical steps can contribute to broader, lasting change, building resilient, inclusive societies while stimulating innovation ecosystems. Governments and private sectors in India hosted discussions on policy and funding to support early-stage innovators.
Date observed: 21 April 2026
Theme: Harnessing Creativity for Global Progress
Focus areas include technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability
Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 Announces First All-Women Cohort
Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 honoured the first all-women cohort of environmental leaders. The award, often called the 'Green Nobel', recognises grassroots activists protecting biodiversity and fighting climate change. The 2026 six winners come from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South and Central America, and the Island territories, reflecting global diversity. Each recipient receives 200,000 dollars to advance their work. Winners include Iroro Tanshi of Nigeria; Borim Kim of South Korea; Sarah Finch of the United Kingdom; Theonila Roka Matbob of Papua New Guinea; Alannah Acaq Hurley of the United States; and Yuvelis Morales Blanco of Colombia. The prize highlights community-led efforts against fossil fuels and habitat loss.
RELIEF Scheme Expanded to Egypt and Jordan for Export Facilitation
On 22 April 2026, the Government announced an expansion of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), adding Egypt and Jordan to the list of eligible destinations. The program, designed to facilitate shipments and reduce trade barriers, seeks to broaden India's export reach amid global headwinds. The expansion complements existing RELIEF coverage and targets sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods. Officials said the move would simplify regulatory procedures, lower transaction costs, and improve logistics efficiency for Indian exporters, especially small and medium enterprises, by offering advisory and logistical support.
Ahilyanagar tops National Nutrition Fortnight awareness campaign
Ahilyanagar district in Maharashtra has topped India’s National Nutrition Fortnight campaign by the Women and Child Development Department. The district conducted 324,075 awareness activities so far in the eighth edition of the campaign, highlighting the focus on child nutrition and healthy development. Pune district ranks second nationwide, according to Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Gajanan Patil. This year’s Fortnight theme is 'Brain Development in the First Six Years of a Child’s Life', and government officials say the activities aim to improve feeding practices, growth monitoring and caregiver education across rural and urban areas. The campaign runs through the current financial year and involves frontline workers, anganwadi centers and health volunteers.
Ahilyanagar tops the Fortnight campaign nationwide.
Total activities reported: 324,075.
Pune second in the national rankings.
Theme focuses on brain development in early childhood.
Programs involve anganwadi workers and health volunteers.