Updates on 29 April 2026
All of April 2026 →FSSAI Proposes Ban on Plastic Packaging for Pan Masala and Gutka
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, aiming to completely ban plastic packaging for pan masala, gutka, and similar products. The draft mandates replacement of all single-use plastic sachets with eco-friendly materials like paper, paperboard, cellulose, and other naturally derived materials. Additionally, it prohibits aluminum foil and metallised packaging layers in such products. This measure aligns with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and aims to reduce plastic pollution while addressing public health concerns linked to these products.
Indian Army Hosts First Multilateral Exercise Pragati in Meghalaya
The Indian Army conducted the inaugural Exercise Pragati at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, involving military delegations from 11 friendly countries to strengthen defence cooperation and interoperability. This multilateral military exercise underscores India's increased focus on regional security and strategic partnerships within the Indian Ocean Region, aligning with its Act East Policy and emphasizing collective preparedness against threats like maritime insecurity and humanitarian crises.
Supreme Court emphasizes strict enforcement of existing laws to combat hate speech in India
The Supreme Court of India has asserted that addressing hate speech and hate crimes requires stringent enforcement of existing legal provisions rather than enacting new laws. The court, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, observed that persistent hate offences stem from poor implementation, delayed police response, and lack of accountability, rather than the absence of adequate laws. They underscored the immediate registration of FIRs upon receipt of hate speech complaints and clarified that prior government sanction is not mandatory for Magistrates to take cognizance of such cases, facilitating quicker judicial intervention.
India Implements Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025
From May 1, 2026, India has enforced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at eliminating harmful online money games while promoting e-sports and social games. The Act mandates the establishment of the Online Gaming Authority of India in Delhi to regulate, classify, and oversee gaming platforms, ensuring user protection through mandatory registrations, grievance redressal, and safety measures. The legislation prohibits online money games involving real monetary stakes, sets stringent penalties for violations, and supports India's emergence as a global digital gaming hub.
Oxford University and Serum Institute of India Partner to Develop Next-Generation Malaria Vaccine R78C
The University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India (SII) have entered into a licensing agreement to develop and manufacture R78C, a next-generation malaria vaccine candidate. R78C targets Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, using a multi-stage approach focused on two blood-stage antigens, RIPR and CyPRA. This strategy aims to provide stronger and longer-lasting protection compared to existing vaccines such as the R21/Matrix-M, which primarily target earlier parasite stages. The Serum Institute of India's large-scale manufacturing and global distribution capabilities are expected to facilitate affordable access, especially in malaria-endemic low-income countries in Africa. Currently in clinical trials, R78C seeks to complement and enhance existing malaria control efforts, potentially contributing to malaria reduction and eventual elimination.
France unveils pioneering fossil fuel phase-out roadmap with targets by 2050
In April 2026, France announced a comprehensive national roadmap to end reliance on fossil fuels, setting explicit deadlines to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050. This plan consolidates existing climate policies into a single framework aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. Presented at the International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, it is among the first such detailed fossil fuel end-date commitments globally. The roadmap also emphasizes electrification of transport and heating and supports global clean energy transitions. France's reliance on nuclear power underpins this shift. Despite ambitious targets, recent emission cuts have slowed, highlighting implementation challenges ahead.
UAE to Exit OPEC and OPEC+ from 1 May 2026, Reshaping Global Oil Politics
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its decision to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the extended OPEC+ alliance effective 1 May 2026. This move marks a significant change in global energy dynamics amid current geopolitical tensions affecting oil markets, particularly due to the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE’s departure signals a strategic shift toward national interests and greater production autonomy, impacting global oil supply, prices, and the power balance within OPEC, where Saudi Arabia is expected to assume a larger role.
RBI Launches Mission SAKSHAM for Capacity Building of Urban Cooperative Banks
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched Mission SAKSHAM, a nationwide mission-mode capacity-building program aimed at urban cooperative banks (UCBs) across India. Covering around 1.40 lakh participants, the initiative focuses on enhancing governance standards, compliance culture, managerial and operational capabilities, and institutional resilience within UCBs through physical and digital training. It targets key stakeholders such as board members, senior management, and critical function employees. The program emphasizes preserving the community-centric structure of cooperative banks while upgrading them to meet modern banking standards.
APEDA to Establish Basmati and Organic Training Centre in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh
The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is setting up a basmati and organic farming training centre and demonstration farm in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh. This initiative involves an investment of around Rs 15 crore on 7 acres of land transferred at the government agriculture farm in Tanda Bijesi village. The centre aims to enhance premium basmati cultivation, organic farming practices, seed production, and export readiness among farmers.
17th Old Seed Festival in Araku Promotes Tribal Biodiversity and Indigenous Farming
The 17th annual Old Seed Festival, organized by the Sanjeevini organisation, was held in Killoguda village, Araku region of Andhra Pradesh. The festival emphasized conserving indigenous seed diversity and promoting natural farming practices. Tribal farmers from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu displayed over 80 varieties of indigenous seeds, including millet, pulses, tubers, and local crops adapted to tribal farming systems. Cultural programs like Dhimsa dance and traditional drumming added significance. Officials and experts highlighted the festival as an important platform for preserving traditional agriculture and called for stronger government support for organic farming clusters, vital for ecological balance and food security.