1 Ministry of Culture launches “VM Frames” National Film Making Competition to commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’
As part of the nationwide celebration of 150 years of ” Vande Mataram , ” the Ministry of Culture, Government of India , has announced the launch of ” VM Frames ,” a national film-making competition . This competition invites citizens to creatively interpret the spirit of the national anthem through visual narrative presentations. “Vande Mataram,” which defined India’s freedom movement and cultural identity, completes 150 years in 2025. This milestone in the freedom movement is being commemorated as a year-long celebration, led by the Ministry of Culture, with support from states, union territories, various ministries, Indian missions abroad, and citizens worldwide. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, “Vande Mataram” holds a special place in India’s historical and cultural consciousness. The song’s message, which portrays the motherland as a “divine feminine power,” inspired generations during the freedom struggle and remains deeply embedded in the nation’s spirit even today. “VM Frames” aims to connect filmmakers, creators, and citizens to reimagine the legacy of Vande Mataram through modern formats. The competition is being held in the following three categories :
2. Fourth India-Africa Summit to be held in New Delhi from May 28
India, in collaboration with the African Union Commission , is scheduled to host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on May 31, 2026. Ahead of the summit, India’s External Affairs Minister , Dr. S. Jaishankar, launched the logo, theme, and website of the 4th IAFS in New Delhi on April 23, 2026. The 4th IAFS will bring together leaders from across the African continent, representatives of the African Union Commission and regional organizations to strengthen the India-Africa partnership and chart a roadmap for further expanding cooperation in various sectors. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the summit will be held under the theme ” IA Spirit: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation, ” reflecting the broad nature of the partnership between India and Africa. Speaking in New Delhi about the summit, Dr. Jaishankar noted that 17 new diplomatic missions have been opened in Africa, bringing the total number to 46. He said this reflects India’s long-term commitment to building connectivity in every region of Africa.
3 Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 Honors First All-Female Group of Environmental Leaders
The Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 has been awarded to six women leaders from around the world. This marks the first time since the award’s inception that it has been awarded to an all-female group . Often referred to as the ” Green Nobel ,” it honors grassroots activists working to protect the environment and combat climate change. This year’s winners represent six diverse sectors and demonstrate how local action can drive global environmental change. The Goldman Environmental Prize was established in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rodda Goldman and is one of the world’s most prestigious awards in the field of environmental activism. For the first time in history, all six winners are women and represent diverse parts of the world:
- Iroro Tanshi (Nigeria) – Africa
- Borim Kim (South Korea) – Asia
- Sarah Finch (United Kingdom) – Europe
- Theonila Roka Matabob (Papua New Guinea) – Islands and Island Nations
- Alanna Akak Hurley (United States) – North America
- Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia) – South and Central America
4 Arthur Law awarded the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Young Global Leader Award
Arthur Law has been named a Young Global Leader (YGL) 2026 by the World Economic Forum . The announcement, made on April 21, 2026 , recognizes his innovative space solutions’ contributions to transforming urban life. As cities’ populations and densities grow, his work redefining how homes and businesses use space has placed him among a select group of global leaders shaping the future. The Forum of Young Global Leaders is one of the world’s most prestigious leadership networks. Thousands of candidates are nominated from around the world each year, but only about 100 exceptional leaders under the age of 40 are selected. In 2026, 118 leaders from 55 countries were selected, joining a network of over 1,400 members and alumni.
5 AI-based ‘Pragya’ systems handed over to the Home Ministry
To strengthen India’s internal security, an advanced satellite imaging system called ” Prajna ” has been developed. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) , the system has been handed over to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) . This system will enhance real-time monitoring and decision-making capabilities for security agencies . Based on artificial intelligence (AI) , the system is expected to play a vital role in surveillance and counter-terrorism operations in the country . The Pragya Satellite Imaging System is an AI-enabled platform designed to provide real-time visual intelligence to security forces. Developed by DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the system will enable authorities to more efficiently monitor critical areas and respond quickly to potential threats.
6 Kankaria became India’s first water-neutral railway depot
The Kankaria Railway Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad, Gujarat , has emerged as a ” water-neutral ” railway depot, demonstrating that innovative practices can transform traditional railway operations into an environmentally friendly model. This initiative marks a major breakthrough in water conservation , saving approximately 160,000 liters of water daily through advanced treatment and reuse systems — equivalent to over 300 domestic tanks . Fundamental to this transformation is a modern wastewater treatment system based on phytoremediation , a natural process in which plants are used to purify water. The depot has successfully implemented this environmentally friendly technology to treat wastewater generated from routine activities such as coach washing and maintenance. Instead of being discharged, the water is treated and reused, significantly reducing dependence on freshwater sources.
The government has launched a revised TDIP (Technology Development and Investment Promotion) scheme worth ₹203 crore to promote 6G and indigenous telecom technologies . The scheme was announced by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia , accompanied by Minister of State Chandrashekhar Pemmasani and Telecom Secretary Amit Agarwal . Through this scheme, the government aims to transform India not just into a technology user but also into a global standard-setter. The new TDIP scheme, which will be implemented during 2026–31, will provide financial support to Indian startups, MSMEs, academic institutions, research organizations, and telecom companies for participation in international forums, including platforms like the International Telecommunication Union, 3GPP, and oneM2M. The scheme will support Indian experts to participate in global meetings, submit technical proposals, play leadership roles, and organize international events in India.
8 Travel and shopping in one app, DigiHaat’s new feature
Government-backed platform DigiHaat has now launched metro ticket booking services in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru , allowing users to plan their daily commutes on a single app. With this new feature, DigiHaat joins a select group of apps that offer metro ticketing, e-commerce, and mobility services across multiple cities. This initiative is part of the larger goal of the Open Network for Digital Commerce to create an open digital commerce ecosystem in the country, reducing the role of intermediaries and directly benefiting consumers and businesses. In addition to metro ticketing, the app already offers several services :
- Food Delivery
- E-commerce
- Ride-hailing (like Bharat Taxi, Namma Yatri).
The platform operates under the ONDC ecosystem and is governed by a non-profit organization (Section-8) called Nirmit Bharat .
9 Tashkent to host 2027 World Para Athletics Championships in June
World Para Athletics has announced that Tashkent will host the 13th edition of the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships . The event is scheduled to take place in June 2027. This will be the first time Central Asia will host this prestigious event. The championships, one of the largest para-sports events in the world, will take place at the state-of-the-art Olympic City Main Stadium in Tashkent.
10 IIT Madras introduces India’s first three-team football ‘Omegaball’
IIT Madras has introduced a new sport called OmegaBall . It’s a new and unique three-team football format , a first in the country. This initiative not only adds a new dimension to competitive sports but also demonstrates IIT Madras’s commitment to innovation beyond academics. With the introduction of the sport, the institute has proposed the creation of a national-level OmegaBall club to promote and expand it across India. To commemorate this achievement, IIT Madras hosted an inter-college OmegaBall tournament on April 17, 2026, at its campus football field. Teams from Loyola College, Guru Nanak College, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, The New College, Saveetha University, and YMCA College of Physical Education participated, along with IIT Madras’ own teams. OmegaBall is a fast-paced form of football with a completely new gameplay structure. Unlike traditional football, it involves three teams playing simultaneously on a circular field with three goals. Each team attacks two goals while defending one; this creates a constant and intense game. This format is already gaining popularity in areas like the US, Brazil, and Europe, making it a rapidly emerging sport worldwide. This initiative was started by V. Kamakoti, who emphasized the importance of innovation in sports.
National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) will be celebrated across the country on April 24, 2026. A central event will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi , where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a message. The day is celebrated annually to commemorate the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act , which granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions in the country. The year 2026 marks the 33rd anniversary of this landmark initiative.
12 World Book and Copyright Day
World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated annually on April 23rd. It is a day that symbolizes the global consciousness of knowledge, creation, and its preservation. While this day was formally established by UNESCO in 1995, its cultural roots are much older. The selection of April 23rd holds deep symbolic significance. It marks the date on which some of the greatest creators of world literature departed. This selection conveys the message that while a person may be mortal, his thoughts are immortal. In the Catalonia region of Spain, a beautiful tradition is prevalent on this day, known as St. George’s Day, where people exchange books and roses. The book symbolizes knowledge, while the rose symbolizes compassion and beauty.
13 English Language Day 2026
English Language Day is a United Nations (UN)-sponsored day celebrated annually on April 23. It coincides with William Shakespeare’s birthday and World Book and Copyright Day.