15 April 2026

Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 78th Foundation Day commemorating the integration of 30 princely states into the Chief Commissioner's Province on April 15, 1948. CM announced a Rs 1,200 crore Green Hydrogen Valley at Kinnaur-Lahaul, leveraging the state's 27,000 MW hydropower potential. Himachal attained statehood later on January 25, 1971 under the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation eased to 2.5% year-on-year in March 2026 from 3.1% in February, driven by moderation in food articles (+1.8%) and manufactured products (+2.1%). Fuel and power inflation stayed negative at -1.2% on softer global crude. The Office of Economic Adviser attributed the moderation to improved rabi arrivals and stable input costs in pharma and auto.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Mission Indradhanush 6.0 to achieve 95% full immunisation coverage in 250 focus districts by December 2026. The mission adds rotavirus, PCV, and HPV (9-14 years, girls) to the Universal Immunisation Programme basket — expanding to 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. Rs 2,800 crore earmarked under the National Health Mission.

The Indian Air Force concluded Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026 at Pokhran Firing Range, Rajasthan, with 147 aircraft demonstrating integrated air-to-ground operations. Highlights included Tejas MK1A and Rafale firing SCALP stand-off missiles, Apache AH-64E conducting nap-of-earth strikes, and the first operational use of indigenous SAAW smart anti-airfield weapon against hardened targets.

The 7th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington concluded with a Comprehensive Technology Trade Authorisation that streamlines export licensing for semiconductors, quantum, space systems, and biotech under INDUS-X. Both sides announced a USD 4.5 billion co-investment in the Jet Engine Joint Venture and agreed on Open RAN interoperability for US-India telecom deployments.

The Wildlife Institute of India and WWF-India released the first India-specific Living Planet Report showing 28% average decline in monitored vertebrate populations since 1970, compared to 73% global decline. Forest-dependent species fared better (-12%) while freshwater species collapsed (-51%). The report introduces a State Biodiversity Index ranking states on 42 indicators.

The ISRO-NASA NISAR satellite began public release of 12-day revisit Interferometric SAR data for ground subsidence monitoring across 53 Indian cities via the MOSDAC portal. Initial readings show alarming subsidence in Joshimath (2.8 cm/month), parts of Jakarta-style basin in Kolkata (-1.9 cm/yr), and tunnel-induced subsidence in Delhi Metro Phase-IV alignment.

The World Health Organisation executive board unanimously reappointed Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh as Regional Director for South-East Asia (SEARO) for a second five-year term starting May 2026. Under her leadership, the region eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus and reduced TB incidence by 38%. She is the first Indian to lead a WHO regional office in a second term.

Magadi Kere in Gadag district, Karnataka — a critical wintering site for bar-headed geese and demoiselle cranes — was designated as India's 87th Ramsar Site. The 54-hectare shallow wetland hosts up to 8,000 bar-headed geese annually. India now has the largest Ramsar network in South Asia, with Tamil Nadu leading with 18 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 11.

On the 141st birth anniversary of Kaka Kalelkar, Chairman of the First Backward Classes Commission (1953), the Ministry of Social Justice digitised the 1955 Kalelkar Commission Report and released it on the National Digital Library. The report, which identified 2,399 communities as backward, preceded the Mandal Commission Report of 1980 and established constitutional precedents for OBC identification under Article 340.