1 April 2026

The Union Budget 2026-27 provisions take effect from April 1, 2026, including revised income tax slabs under the new regime (NIL up to ₹4 lakh, 5% for ₹4–8 lakh), abolition of indexation on long-term capital gains for debt mutual funds, and enhanced capex target of ₹11.11 lakh crore. The Finance Bill was assented to by the President on March 25, 2026.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under MHA, released the Crime in India 2025 report. Crimes against women declined 4.2% nationally while cybercrime registrations rose 38%. The report also tracks crimes under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which replaced the IPC from July 1, 2024.

India dispatched its third consignment of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including 50 tonnes of medical supplies and food, under Operation Sadbhav. The aid was delivered via the Egyptian corridor in coordination with UNRWA. India's position advocates for a two-state solution and cessation of hostilities in line with its traditional non-alignment doctrine.

DRDO completed the transfer of technology (ToT) for the Pinaka Mk-II Multi-Barrel Rocket System to two private defence companies under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 framework. Pinaka Mk-II has an extended range of 90 km and all-weather operability. The move supports the government's target of ₹50,000 crore defence exports by 2029.

Gross GST revenue collection for March 2026 stood at ₹2.37 lakh crore — the highest single-month collection since GST rollout in July 2017. The figure reflects improved compliance, expansion of the tax base, and integration of e-invoicing. GST is collected jointly by Centre and states under the dual GST structure enshrined in the 101st Constitutional Amendment.

ISRO announced the September 2026 launch window for Chandrayaan-4, India's lunar sample return mission. The mission will use two separate NGLV launches: one carrying the ascent vehicle and the other the propulsion and re-entry modules. If successful, India will become the fourth country to return lunar samples after the USA, Soviet Union, and China.

UNESCO officially inscribed the Moidams — the mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Charaideo, Assam — on the World Heritage List in 2024, and India has now completed the conservation management plan mandated post-inscription. Moidams represent the funerary architecture of the Ahom kingdom that ruled Assam for nearly 600 years (1228–1826 CE).

The PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme was extended to 200 additional cities, taking the total to 1,400 cities. The maximum working capital loan ceiling was enhanced from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh for third-time borrowers with clean repayment records. The scheme is administered by MoHUA and supported by SIDBI.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed CGWB and NITI Aayog to jointly conduct a comprehensive study on groundwater depletion in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, covering Punjab, Haryana, UP, and Bihar. The tribunal noted that the region accounts for 25% of global groundwater extraction and directed an interim report within six months.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board under the Ministry of Railways. The Railway Board is the apex body for Indian Railways policy formulation and is reconstituted as a unified body following the 2019 reforms merging eight services.