1 India-Russia RELOS agreement comes into force
On April 18 , Russia announced the entry into force of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) defense agreement between India and Russia . Under RELOS , both countries will be able to deploy up to 3,000 troops on each other’s territory . RELOS also allows the deployment of five warships and 10 military aircraft . The agreement allows the two countries’ armies to use each other’s military bases, airbases, and ports, facilitating long-term military deployments and operations. The agreement also includes logistical support, providing fuel, water, repairs, technical resources, and other essential supplies. Air traffic control and flight-related services will also be provided for aircraft. The agreement was signed in February 2025 and approved by Russia in December 2025. It will be valid for five years, extendable by mutual consent. However, this agreement is not for war purposes; it will be used only for peacetime training, joint exercises, and logistical support. This deal is being considered an important step in the strengthening strategic partnership between India and Russia, which will further improve military coordination and cooperation between the two countries.
Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh . This marks a diplomatic shift, as a former politician will now hold the position . He is a former BJP MP and hails from Barrackpore, West Bengal . His appointment is expected to further strengthen relations between India and Bangladesh. His appointment marks a significant change in diplomatic procedures, as these positions are typically held by officers of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). these positions are
3 Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan in London on a three-day official visit
India and the UK have taken a significant step towards strengthening their defence partnership . Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan is in London on a three-day official visit. This is the first such visit by an Indian Chief of Defence Staff to the UK . The visit marks the fifth high-level military meeting between the two countries, reflecting growing strategic coordination. During the talks, both sides focused on enhancing cooperation in key areas including cyber security, intelligence sharing, defence industrial cooperation and joint military exercises.
4 Prosperous Village Initiatives on the Global Stage, Nominated for WSIS Awards 2026
The Samridh Gram initiative was nominated for the World Summit on the Information Society – WSIS Awards 2026 in the Enabling Environment category . Launched by the Department of Telecommunications , this initiative is built under the BharatNet project . The Ministry of Communications stated that the initiative provides integrated physical-digital services by combining physical infrastructure and digital platforms through Samridh Kendras established in villages . The Ministry stated that these Kendras provide access to key services such as healthcare, education, agricultural support, governance, financial inclusion, and e-commerce. Equipped with high-speed broadband, FTTH connectivity, and public Wi-Fi, these Kendras offer services such as telemedicine, digital classrooms, and online government services. The Ministry stated that the initiative has begun to show initial impact by improving service access in rural areas, reducing travel time, and increasing digital literacy and livelihood opportunities. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the first Samridh Kendra in Umri village, Madhya Pradesh , marking a significant step towards expanding digital infrastructure at the grassroots level.
5 Fire breaks out at Rajasthan’s HRL refinery, PM Modi’s inauguration programme postponed
The inauguration ceremony of the crude distillation unit at the Rajasthan-based HRL refinery, scheduled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been postponed due to a fire . The fire broke out in the vicinity of the refinery. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a post on social media stating that the fire has been brought under control and there are no reports of any casualties. The ministry said that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the incident and take necessary preventive measures. The new date of inauguration will be announced soon.
6 NIFTEM initiative to promote food startups
The ” Food Business Start-up Enabler Program 2.0 ” held at the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) provided youth and startups across the country with the opportunity to advance in the food business . The two-day program, held on April 16th and 17th , attracted 82 participants. These included students, new entrepreneurs, and those interested in starting a business in the food processing sector. . The initiative aimed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to start, manage, and scale a food business. Experts provided insights into key topics such as packaging technology, branding, marketing, pricing, taxation, corporate law, and export. Practical aspects such as supply chain management, inventory control, and food processing technology were also addressed.
7 Bulgaria elections: Rumen Radev’s party wins decisive victory
Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev ‘s party has won a decisive and historic victory in the country’s parliamentary elections . The victory is being seen as a major turnaround after years of political instability. According to Bulgaria’s Central Election Commission, Radev’s center-left Progressive Bulgaria coalition won nearly 45 percent of the vote, with more than 96 percent of the votes counted. The coalition is far ahead of the center-right Gerb party led by Boyko Borisov, which won just over 13 percent.
The Honorable Dr. C.H. Srinivasa Rao was awarded the 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award on April 19, 2026, in Hyderabad . He currently serves as the Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and was honored for his pioneering work in the field of climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management. This award holds special significance as it coincides with the birth centenary of the late Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, a key figure behind India’s Green Revolution. The Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award is a prestigious honor in India’s agricultural sector, recognizing scientists who have made significant contributions to food security and sustainable agriculture. Established by the Retired ICAR Employees Association in collaboration with Nuziveedu Seeds Limited, the award recognizes excellence in agricultural research and innovation.
9 Blue Origin makes history: First successful landing of a reused New Glenn Booster
Blue Origin successfully landed a reusable booster from its New Glenn rocket for the first time . However, the mission’s results were mixed, as the satellite it carried failed to reach its intended orbit . It launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on April 20, 2026. This mission was an important step toward demonstrating the capabilities of reusable rockets, though some challenges remain before the mission can be fully successful. The mission’s crowning achievement was the successful landing of a reusable first-stage booster, a significant milestone in modern spaceflight. The booster, named “Never Tell Me the Odds ,” completed its descent and landing approximately 10 minutes after liftoff. This success demonstrates Blue Origin’s continued progress toward reusable launch systems—a key factor in reducing the cost of space missions. Despite the booster’s success, the mission suffered a setback when the BlueBird 7 satellite, developed by AST SpaceMobile, failed to reach its planned orbit.
10 CBI develops AI-based chatbot/app named Abhay
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an AI-powered chatbot called ” Abhay .” This platform will help citizens verify official notices and avoid falling prey to digital scams . This initiative comes at a time when cases of fraud involving ” digital arrests ” are on the rise, with fraudsters posing as officials to defraud people of money. The chatbot will be officially launched by the Honorable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Surya Kant; it marks a significant advancement in the use of artificial intelligence for public safety and cybercrime prevention. The “Abhay” chatbot is a digital tool developed by the CBI to help people verify the authenticity of notices claimed to have been issued by the agency. This system is designed to help citizens quickly verify whether a notice is genuine or fake; it also prevents panic caused by fraudulent messages and reduces the risk of financial exploitation.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has achieved a significant milestone in offline verification . Within three months of its rollout, 100 entities have successfully registered as entities seeking offline verification (OVSE). This achievement marks a significant progress in enabling secure and paperless verification through Aadhaar offline, empowering both service providers and the general public. The Ministry of Electronics stated that these entities are from diverse sectors, including central and state government departments, fintech companies, event management organizations, and educational and examination institutions. The Ministry stated that by leveraging Aadhaar offline verification methods, such as QR code-based verification and secure digitally signed documents, these entities will now be able to “show, share, and verify” identity information without requiring real-time connectivity to UIDAI’s central database.
12 Divyangjan allowed to travel in unreserved coaches on UDID card
Indian Railways has clarified that persons with disabilities can now travel in unreserved disabled coaches of mail and express trains if they possess a valid Unique Disability ID-UID card . The Ministry of Railways has said that persons with disabilities having a valid UID card issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities or eligible for concessional fares can travel in these designated coaches. Railways has directed that strict action will be taken against passengers travelling unauthorisedly in these coaches under the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989. All zonal railways have been directed to effectively implement these guidelines.
13. CIBIL score will now be visible in the BHIM app.
A new feature has been added to the BHIM app , developed in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India , allowing users to view their CIBIL score directly . This feature was launched in partnership with TransUnion CIBIL . Users can now check their credit score and credit report within the app, without having to navigate to a separate platform. This feature is available in BHIM app versions 4.0.19 and above . The new feature is completely consent-based , meaning that access to credit information will only be granted after the user’s permission. Bhavesh Jain stated that this step will help people understand their credit behavior and make better financial plans. Lalitha Nataraj added that this feature will transform the BHIM app beyond just a payment platform into a financial awareness tool. Previously, biometric authentication was also added to the BHIM app, allowing users to make UPI payments up to ₹5,000 using fingerprint or face recognition. India’s Unified Payments Interface system continues to grow rapidly and now handles approximately 49% of the world’s real-time payments. Overall, this new feature is considered a major step toward increasing digital payments as well as credit awareness.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has announced the establishment of the Vikram Sodhi Centre of Excellence for AI-enabled Geological and Mining Systems . The centre is supported by ₹15 crore in funding over five years , and the initiative aims to transform India’s mining sector through artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation . The centre, recently launched by IIT Kharagpur, marks a significant advancement in India’s research ecosystem, combining geological sciences, mining engineering, and artificial intelligence into an integrated framework. The initiative is funded by Vikram Sodhi, who is associated with Mineros SA and Sun Valley Investments. This collaboration reflects a growing trend of industry leaders supporting academic innovation to solve real-world challenges.
15 BWSSBs achieve global ISO 50001 energy management certification
In a significant development in the field of urban infrastructure , Bengaluru ‘s water authority has gained major recognition globally. The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has become the first water utility in India to receive the prestigious ISO 50001:2018 certification for energy management . The achievement was announced on April 14, and the milestone reflects the city’s growing focus on sustainability and efficient management of resources. The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has received global recognition for its advanced energy management practices. The certification was issued by Bureau Veritas, a leading international certification agency. ISO 50001:2018 is an internationally accepted standard that focuses on efficient energy use, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability.