Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020 by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts and now it has been extended to all districts of the country with effect from 15th August 2023. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use.
Till now, through the various activities undertaken on-ground, 26+ crore people including 9.5+ crore youth, 6.47+ crore women and 28,000+ Nasha Mukti Mitr (formerly known as Master Volunteers) have been sensitized on substance use through more than 8.3 lakh activities conducted at various levels including in educational institutions, across the country.
Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh & Dr Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment launched the upgraded Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 2.0 App at the inaugural session of Chintan Shivir in Chandigarh on 24th April, 2026.
The NMBA App, currently accessible to authorised users, supports States, Districts, spiritual organisations and other stakeholders in uploading and tracking activities under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan through a consolidated dashboard with near real-time visibility.
It also serves as a resource platform by providing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials along with basic communication support for Nasha Mukti Mitras to facilitate awareness efforts.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) under the leadership of Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu has released the second phase ranking (April 2026) of the DGCA Approved Flying Training Organizations (FTOs). The ranking framework was developed under the Minister’s guidance with the first phase of the ranking getting published on 1st October 2025.
The Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India (CCIC), under the Ministry of Textiles, marks a significant milestone in its revival journey with the launch of its inaugural heritage designer collection titled “Soul Threads”.
The exclusive exhibition will be held from April 24th to May 10th 2026, at CCIC’s flagship showroom located at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi. The showcase brings together an exquisite range of India’s finest artisanal creations, including specially curated sarees, bespoke designer wear, artisanal jewellery, and home furnishings.
The inaugural evening featured a preview of the collection followed by a fashion show, presenting the Heritage Designer Collection. The collection drew inspiration from India’s rich indigenous textile traditions, reinterpreted to align with contemporary aesthetics.
The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boehringer Ingelheim India Pvt. Ltd., marking a significant step towards fostering collaborative research and accelerating healthcare solutions.
Under this partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim will provide researchers access to its opnMe® open science platform, enabling wider scientific exchange and accelerating healthcare innovation.
The collaboration will build research capacity at NIPER Hajipur, provide students with hands-on training, and generate early-stage proof-of-concept data that can be scaled into preclinical development.
The Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini arrived at Las Palmas on 23 Apr 2026, as part of her ongoing transoceanic deployment under Lokayan 26. The port call to the Canary Islands archipelago is significant as it marks the maiden visit of an Indian naval ship to the archipelago.
The stopover serves as a strategic pause before the ship embarks on her ambitious trans-Atlantic passage.
During the visit, the Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini is scheduled to hold professional interactions with Spanish Naval authorities.
Looking ahead, the ship will undertake a long trans-Atlantic passage with planned participation in Sail 250 commemorative events across various ports in the United States as part of the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that it has cancelled the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited, more than two years after imposing business restrictions over regulatory violations, including lapses in customer due diligence.
Paytm Payments Bank, backed by One97 Communications, received a limited banking licence in August 2015, allowing it to accept small deposits but not issue loans. The company previously counted China’s Ant Group and Japan’s SoftBank among its investors.
In January 2024, the RBI directed the bank to stop accepting new deposits, citing non-compliance with rules related to customer due diligence, use of funds and technology systems.
The RBI said it will apply to the high court to wind up the bank.
The bank remains operational but with significant restrictions. It can process withdrawals of existing deposits and facilitate loan referrals through banking correspondents, according to its website, but cannot accept fresh deposits.
The government has extended the tenure of Managing Directors of Bank of India (BoI) and Bank of Baroda (BoB) for three years beyond their current terms.
According to sources, the government has extended the term of Rajneesh Karnatak, MD and CEO of BoI, for three years, effective April 29, 2026.
Karnatak was appointed as MD and CEO of the bank in 2023 for three years.
Besides, the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved the extension of Debadatta Chand, MD and CEO of BoB, for three years, effective July 1, 2026.
However, the government has not yet taken a view on extension with regard to UCO Bank MD and CEO Ashwani Kumar, whose three-year term is also coming to an end on June 1, 2026.
The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has also extended the term of Ashutosh Choudhary as executive director of Indian Bank for another three years.
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, launched the SMILE–Beggary Survey Mobile Application during the Chintan Shivir with States/UTs held in Chandigarh from 24th to 26th April 2026.
The mobile application has been developed under the SMILE–Beggary Sub-Scheme (Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging),
to strengthen field-level implementation through real-time data collection and improved monitoring. The application will enable implementing agencies and district authorities to capture survey data digitally, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and timely reporting.
The launch of the mobile application marks a significant step towards addressing challenges such as delayed and inconsistent data reporting, while enhancing the Ministry’s capacity for real-time monitoring, data analytics, and performance tracking across cities.
India and the United States issued a Joint Statement on 7th February 2026 agreeing on a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. The framework reaffirmed the countries’ commitment to the broader India-U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations.
In pursuance thereof, the Indian side visited Washington D.C. for in person round of meetings with their U.S. counterparts to finalize the details of the Interim Agreement and take forward the negotiations under the broader BTA. Multiple areas such as Market Access, Non-Tariff Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Investment Promotion,
Economic Security Alignment and Digital trade were discussed. The meetings were conducted in a constructive and positive spirit with meaningful and forward-looking discussions enabling progress on key matters. Both sides agreed to remain engaged to maintain this momentum as they move forward.
Noida International Airport on Friday announced the appointment of its Chief Financial Officer Nitu Samra as the interim Chief Executive Officer after authorities denied permission for foreign national Christoph Schnellmann to be at the helm.
Samra will replace Schnellmann, a Swiss national who has led Noida International Airport (NIA) as the CEO since August 2020.
Schnellmann will join the airport's Board of Directors as Executive Vice Chairman. In this role, he will continue to support the project and its transition to operations, the statement said.
With immediate effect, NIA said Samra has been appointed as the CEO on an interim basis until the Board of Directors can conclude a formal selection process.
Chairman and Managing Director of Bikaji Foods International Ltd Shiv Ratan Agarwal died in Chennai.
Agarwal, a resident of Sardulganj in Bikaner, founded the Bikaji brand in 1993.
Agarwal was a guiding force of the ethnic snacks and sweets manufacturer since its inception and laid the foundation of the brand 'Bikaji', the company said.
