1 PM Modi holds talks with Vietnam President To Lam; several MoUs signed
India and Vietnam signed several MoUs in the fields of digital technology, rare earth elements, medical product regulation, public sector audit, digital payment systems and culture and tourism. The agreements were signed following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam in New Delhi . During the talks, the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.
2 India and the European Union launch a joint initiative to strengthen EV battery recycling capacity.
India and the European Union have launched an ambitious joint initiative to promote the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries . Funding of ₹169 crore has been allocated under this mission. This program is part of the Green and Clean Energy Technology Working Group-2 under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) . The deadline for submission of proposals is September 15, 2026. The main goals of this program are to promote the safe recycling of EV batteries, the recovery of precious minerals, and the strengthening of the circular economy. Particular emphasis will be placed on maximizing the recovery of critical raw materials such as lithium, graphite, and cobalt. The program will focus on :
- Innovations in modern recycling techniques
- Battery Collection and Logistics
- Testing new technologies through pilot projects
- Second Life Use of Batteries
- Strengthening safety standards
Under this, an India-EU joint pilot project will also be set up in India, where new technologies will be tested and refined in real conditions. Funding and Collaboration: A part of the funding will come from the European Union’s ‘ Horizon Europe ‘ programme, while the Ministry of Heavy Industries will provide support from the Indian side.
3 Shashi Shekhar Vempati becomes the new chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification
Shashi Shekhar Vempati has been appointed as the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) . The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that Mr. Vempati will hold the position for a term of three years from the date of assumption of charge . Mr. Vempati has extensive experience in the fields of media, broadcasting, and public communication. He will replace Prasoon Joshi as the new Chairman of the CBFC .
4 Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to attend ‘Fruit Horizon 2026’ programme in Lucknow
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be on a two-day visit to Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh , to participate in key events related to the upcoming Fruit Horizon 2026. The two-day event aims to promote fruit production, quality enhancement, processing, and export in the country. The program aims to provide a new direction to the fruit sector by bringing together farmers, scientists, exporters, and other stakeholders. The main event will be held at the ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Fruits. During the event, Chouhan will interact with farmers, nursery stakeholders, and representatives from the processing sector.
In a major step forward in the country’s digital health sector, the ” Swasth Bharat Portal ” was unveiled. This portal is expected to accelerate India’s digital health revolution by integrating fragmented health systems . It will serve as a one-stop aggregator platform , connecting disparate program systems through APIs . This will not only enhance interoperability but also significantly reduce administrative burden. The portal’s key feature is that it will eliminate duplicate data entry and simplify the reporting process . This will help healthcare officials and staff make quick and accurate decisions. The “Swasth Bharat Portal” has been developed in accordance with ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) , enabling the exchange of secure health data through ABHA ID . This is a major step towards creating a robust and interoperable digital health ecosystem.
6 India and Japan sign several key agreements on health research and quantum technology
India and Japan have signed several agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of health research and quantum technology . This will further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of science, technology, and innovation . In an official statement, the Ministry of Science and Technology stated that these agreements were signed during a high-level meeting between Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh and Japan’s Minister of Science and Technology Policy Kimi Onoda . A Memorandum of Understanding (MoC) for cooperation in the field of health and medical devices was signed between the Japan Medical Research and Development Agency, the Indian Council of Medical Research, and the Department of Science and Technology. Additionally, a Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed between the Cabinet Office of Japan and the Department of Science and Technology of India for cooperation in quantum science and technology, opening new avenues for collaboration in future advanced technologies.
7 SUSE Survey: Unorganised sector enterprises grew by 7.97%, employment and GVA increased significantly
The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation has released the results of the Annual Survey of Unorganized Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for the period January 2025 to December 2025. According to the survey, the total number of establishments increased from 73.4 million in 2023-24 to 79.2 million in 2025 , representing a growth of 7.97 percent . Employment in the sector also registered a growth of 6.18 percent, with the total number of workers projected to reach 128.1 million . According to the survey, the sector’s gross value added (GVA) at current prices has increased by more than 10 percent due to the strong performance of trade, manufacturing, and other services. The percentage of female-owned establishments has increased from 2.17 percent in ASUSE 2023-24 to 26.93 percent in 2025. The survey said that internet usage for entrepreneurial purposes increased from 17.94 per cent to 31.06 per cent in rural areas and from 37.01 per cent to 48.94 per cent in urban areas.
8 RBI issues Foreign Exchange Management Regulations 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the Foreign Exchange Management (Authorized Persons) Regulations, 2026. These new regulations aim to streamline the licensing and renewal process for authorized persons and expand the principal-agent model for providing foreign exchange services, while ensuring adequate safeguards. According to the regulations, entities must obtain authorization from the RBI to act as authorized persons. Applications for new licenses will be processed under three categories – Authorized Dealer (AD) Category I, II, and III – based on eligibility and permitted activities. The RBI has also set minimum net worth requirements, including ₹10 crore for AD Category II entities and ₹2 crore for AD Category III entities . In a significant change, the RBI has stopped granting new authorizations, except for applications already under process for full-fledged money changers. Existing authorized entities can continue operating until the expiry of their current licenses and will need to apply for renewal under the new framework. To strengthen compliance, the RBI has prescribed conditions including minimum annual foreign exchange turnover, continuing net worth requirements, reporting obligations and prior approval for significant changes in ownership or management.
9 DRDO inaugurates Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear-CBRN Field Training Centre
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear-CBRN Field Training and Demonstration Centre at Burari ground in Delhi . The Defence Ministry said the centre aims to further strengthen preparedness for radiation and nuclear emergencies . The ministry said the training and demonstration centre will be a unique DRDO-CBRN centre of excellence with state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated radiation and nuclear testing centres, heavy ion research centres, emergency medical response and real-time field response units.
10 Claire Mazumdar to be the new chairperson of Biocon
On May 6th , Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, founder and chairperson of biopharmaceutical company Biocon, named her niece, Claire Mazumdar , as her successor. In an interview with Fortune India, Kiran stated that Claire will lead the company’s next phase. Claire Mazumdar is currently the founder and CEO of Bicara Therapeutics, which has a market capitalization of over $1.6 billion. Claire studied at MIT and Stanford University and holds a PhD in cancer biology. Claire also serves on the boards of Relay Therapeutics and Noora Health, which works to improve patient outcomes by training family caregivers. Biocon, founded in 1978 by Kiran Mazumdar, is headquartered in Bengaluru. Biocon primarily manufactures biosimilars, insulin, and generic formulations. Biocon operates in over 120 countries, primarily the US and North America.
11 Kumar Mangalam Birla appointed as non-executive chairman of Vi
On May 5 , the board of Vodafone Idea (Vi) appointed Kumar Mangalam Birla as the company’s non-executive chairman . The company disclosed Kumar Mangalam’s name in a filing to the stock exchange. Kumar Mangalam was appointed after the current chairman, Ravindra Takkar, stepped down. Takkar will now serve on the board only as a non-executive director. Kumar Mangalam joined the Aditya Birla Group in 1995, following the death of his father, Aditya Vikram Birla. Kumar Mangalam is a chartered accountant and holds an MBA from London Business School. In 2012, Forbes awarded Kumar Mangalam the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2020, Forbes included Kumar Mangalam in its list of India’s richest people. In 2023, the Government of India honored Kumar Mangalam with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to business.
India’s young boxers performed brilliantly at the Asian Under-15 and Under-17 Championships in Tashkent , Uzbekistan . In the Under-15 boys’ competition, Nongpoknganba Meitei Oina won in the 46 kg category , while Parshant won in the 49 kg category . Mohammad Yasar put up a strong performance in the 58 kg category , winning in the first round against Akbarjan Nabidzhanov of Kyrgyzstan . In the Under-17 boys ‘ evening session, Pal Nivesh performed brilliantly in the 54 kg category . Ranveer won against Ying-Chieh Chen of Chinese Taipei in the 66 kg category.
13 World Athletics Day
World Athletics Day is celebrated annually on May 7th. This day is not merely a formal event, but a living symbol of human potential, discipline, self-control, and unwavering determination. The history of athletics is as ancient and extensive as the development of human civilization itself. Its organized form is clearly traced back to ancient Greece, where the first Olympic Games, held in 776 BC, gave it a systematic identity. Athletics was the main attraction of these ancient Olympic competitions, with the “stadion race” being particularly notable. This race is considered the ancestor of modern sprint competitions. After the Industrial Revolution, when the need for organization and regulation increased in society, efforts began to integrate sports into a systematic framework. In this vein, on July 17, 1912, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was established in Stockholm , Sweden , which is today known as World Athletics .