India Census 2027: RGI launches toll-free helpline 1855

1 India Census 2027: RGI launches toll-free helpline 1855

The government  has taken a major and important step regarding the 2027 Census of India  . To facilitate and alleviate public concerns,  the Registrar General of India (RGI)  has launched a new service. It’s now much easier to get answers to any questions related to the census. The government   has released a dedicated national toll-free helpline number, 1855, for this purpose. Additionally, in keeping with today’s digital age, a  WhatsApp chatbot has been launched.  has also been launched so that people can easily access information on their mobile phones. The new helpline number, 1855, will primarily address questions related to Housing Listing and Housing Enumeration (HLO). The Census Commissioner has launched a WhatsApp chatbot, ensuring public convenience, allowing people to receive accurate and precise information by sending a message. This entire process will prove to be extremely helpful for both the public and the census staff.

2 Satellite study places Mumbai and Secunderabad landfills among top 25 global methane emitters

A recent  satellite-based global study  revealed that landfill sites in   Secunderabad and Mumbai  are  among the world’s top 25 methane-emitting waste sites by 2025.  These findings highlight growing environmental concerns surrounding India’s waste management systems and their contribution to climate change. The analysis, based on observations of thousands of methane plumes, highlights the urgent need for targeted climate action and improved landfill management. The study analyzed 2,994 methane plumes from 707 landfill sites worldwide and identified key pollution hotspots. India has two landfill sites among the top 25 emitting sites globally. Additionally,  countries like Chile and Brazil  also had the highest number of landfill sites (three each). The research was conducted using satellite data from Carbon Mapper, and analysed  by the University of California, Los Angeles through  its Stop Methane Project .

3 Neetu Samra appointed CEO of Noida International Airport

 On  April 25th , Neetu Samra was  appointed the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO)  of  the International Airport  . Neetu had been  the airport’s  Chief Financial Officer (CFO)  since October 2021.  As CFO, Neetu played a key role in the greenfield airport project’s financial planning and development. Neetu’s appointment follows changes in aviation security standards. The new rule requires that only an Indian citizen be able to lead an Indian airport. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) denied approval to former CEO Christoph Schnellmann, leading to an immediate leadership reshuffle. CEO Christoph Schnellmann has been added to the company’s board of directors and appointed as executive director. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, on March 28, 2026.

4 Delhi Metro International Limited appoints Jai Jamuar as its first Chief Executive Officer

5 Dabur appoints Harjit S. Bhalla as CEO of India business

Dabur  has  appointed Harjit S. Bhalla as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of  its  India operations  . His term is effective April 23, 2026. The announcement, made through a regulatory filing, represents a significant step toward strengthening the company’s leadership for domestic operations. He will report directly to Mohit Malhotra, who serves as the company’s Whole-Time Director and Global CEO.

6 NASSCOM gets new chairman: AI expert Srikanth Velamakanni takes charge

Srikanth Velamakanni  has been  appointed the new Chairman of NASSCOM  . He is known for his expertise in the field of artificial intelligence and analytics. His appointment comes at a time when India’s digital economy is rapidly expanding. His leadership is expected to guide the IT industry in its journey towards emerging technologies, global competition, and innovation-driven growth.

7 Rajesh Kumar Agarwal takes over as Director in Power Finance Corporation

Rajesh Kumar Agarwal  has assumed the position of Director at   Power Finance Corporation (PFC)   . He has over three decades of experience in the power and financial services sector. He has spent a significant portion of his career with Power Finance Corporation, where he handled various responsibilities such as project financing, credit appraisal, and loan portfolio management.

8 Vivek Tripathi appointed ED and WTD in 8 AU Small Finance Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)  has  approved the appointment of Mr. Vivek Tripathi as  Executive Director (ED)  of  AU Small Finance Bank  for  a period of three years   . Mr. Vivek Tripathi will also hold charge as Whole Time Director (WTD) and the term will commence from April 24, 2026, subject to approval from the shareholders of the bank.

9 Turkey bans social media for children under 15

Turkey  has passed a new bill that aims to  restrict social media access for children under the age of 15.  This bill is a significant step towards strengthening online safety. Under this law, platforms will be required to implement strict age-verification systems and parental controls. This move comes at a time of growing global concern about the impact of digital content on children.

10 UK Parliament approves ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’: People born after 2008 will never be able to legally buy cigarettes again

The UK  Parliament has approved the Tobacco and Vapes Bill . Under this bill,  people born on or after January 1, 2009, will no longer be able to purchase tobacco products . This measure aims to create a smoke-free generation and, most importantly, reduce the health risks associated with smoking. With royal assent, this new law will become one of the most stringent anti-smoking measures in the world. The bill has passed Parliament, and now only the formal assent of King Charles III is pending, after which it will become law. It will apply throughout the UK: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The government introduced this bill in 2024 and has identified it as one of its top priorities. According to the new rule,  the law will come into effect on January 1, 2027. This recently passed law implements a generational ban. This means that people born after 2008 will never be able to legally purchase tobacco products. Furthermore, the legal age will effectively increase every year, and smoking will gradually be eradicated in future generations.

Renowned photographer Raghu Rai  has passed away. He was 83 years old and had been battling cancer for two years. Rai garnered worldwide attention with his photography. His work is often called the  ” visual archive ” of modern India.  His photographs related to  the Bangladesh Liberation War  and  the Bhopal gas tragedy are memorable. Born on December 18, 1942, in Jhang (now in Pakistan), he  was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1972  for his powerful photography during the Bangladesh War  .  In 1992,  he  was named   ” Photographer of the Year ” in the United States . In 2019, he received  the Académie des Beaux-Arts Photography Award,  a top honor  . The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on him  in 2017.  Raghu   worked under the guidance of renowned French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson .

12 Dubai textile tycoon Vasu Shroff dies at 85

Veteran Indian businessman Vasu Shroff,  known as  the king of Dubai  ‘s  textile industry,  has died at his home at the age of 85. Shroff was among the early entrepreneurs who oversaw and contributed to the transformation of the small UAE state into a global commercial hub. Born in India, Shroff  arrived in Sharjah by boat from Mumbai in 1960  and later settled in Dubai, where he created an indelible business legacy. Shroff is widely regarded as a leading figure in Dubai’s textile trade, playing a key role in the emirate’s early commercial development.