Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that India’s dedicated venture capital fund for the space sector is progressing steadily, with investment in selected startups expected to begin from the first quarter of FY2027.

In a written reply to an Unstarred Question in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the “Antariksh Venture Capital Fund”, set up to boost India’s emerging spacetech ecosystem, has been operationalised with key institutional mechanisms now in place.

The question was raised by Shri Bastipati Nagaraju regarding the status, investments, beneficiaries, returns, and employment generation under the venture capital fund for the space sector.

Government announced the extension of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme for exports of apparel, garments and made-ups until September 30, this year, or until the scheme is approved under the 16th Finance Commission cycle, whichever comes earlier. Operational since 7th March 2019, the RoSCTL Scheme aims to rebate all embedded State and Central taxes and levies not covered under any other scheme. The Scheme is based on the principle of zero-rating of exports, ensuring remission of unrefunded taxes embedded in exported products. The Ministry of Textiles said that the scheme serves as a key support mechanism for the textile export sector, particularly benefiting MSME exporters, who constitute a major share of its beneficiaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Koba, Gandhinagar, on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti today. The museum is dedicated to Jain history and the life of Samrat Samprati, his rule and the message of Non-violence. Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, at Koba Tirth the values are preserved, cultural ethos is strengthened and knowledge is nurtured. He called it a confluence of three streams-study, spiritual practice, and self-discipline.

He said, it forms the very bedrock of Indian civilization. The Prime Minister highlighted that it is the collective duty of every one to ensure that this sacred confluence flows smoothly. The Prime Minister said, the mistake that previous governments made by neglecting manuscripts is being corrected by his government. Referring to the current situation in the world, Mr. Modi said that the message of this museum is important for the entire humanity.

In a major step to advance coal gasification, Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) have signed a land leasing agreement for a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project in Lakhanpur, Odisha. The Coal Ministry said the project “marks a historic breakthrough as India’s first coal gasification project to deploy indigenously developed gasification technology by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).”

The facility is planned as a 2,000 tonnes per day ammonium nitrate plant and will be developed over about 350 acres of land under MCL.

The Indian government's new fuel mandate comes into force today (April 1st 2025), requiring petrol pumps across the country to dispense E20 fuel with a minimum 95 RON octane rating. Applicable across all states and Union Territories, the move marks the next major phase of India's ethanol blending roadmap aimed at cleaner mobility, lower crude oil dependence, and stronger energy security.

95 RON E20 Fuel Rule Comes Into Effect Nationwide
The directive was issued earlier through a February 17 notification by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, instructing oil marketing companies to supply petrol blended with up to 20 percent ethanol. The fuel must also comply with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications to maintain uniform quality throughout the country. The Centre has, however, allowed room for limited exemptions in specific regions or exceptional situations for a short duration if required.

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has announced the appointment of Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan as its new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), effective April 1, 2026.

The decision was approved by the company’s Board of Directors during a meeting held earlier today, following a Ministry of Power order dated March 18, 2026.

Tenure and Appointment Details
Vamsi Rama Mohan has assumed charge with immediate effect and will serve as CMD until July 31, 2030, the date of his superannuation, or until further orders.

Prior to this elevation, he served as Director (Projects) at POWERGRID. The company confirmed that he is not related to any directors or key managerial personnel and is not debarred by any regulatory authority from holding the position.

The Centre has implemented revised waste management rules from April 1. The new guidelines require all households and establishments to segregate garbage into four categories.

Under the updated Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, authorities have expanded the earlier two-bin system, wet and dry waste, into a four-bin framework. This is aimed at improving waste processing and reducing environmental pollution.

Until now, waste segregation was largely limited to two categories:

Wet waste in green bins
Dry waste in blue bins
Under the new rules, waste must be separated into four types using colour-coded bins:

Green (wet waste): Food leftovers, vegetable peels and other biodegradable waste.
Blue (dry waste): Plastic, paper, glass and metal.
Red (sanitary waste): Diapers, sanitary napkins and similar waste.
Black (hazardous/special waste): Bulbs, medicines, paint and e-waste.
The aim is to ensure waste is sorted at the source.

Sanitation workers have been authorised to refuse collection if waste is not properly segregated.

Maharashtra has rolled out a digital upgrade in public transport with the launch of the RuPay-enabled National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for MSRTC buses on Wednesday (April 2, 2026).

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik, inaugurated the smart card scheme.

Under this initiative, Aadhaar-linked NCMC smart cards will be distributed to students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women, and other concession beneficiaries. “The passengers will be able to avail travel concessions in ST bus services more easily, while ensuring a more digital and transparent travel management system,” said the official from state transport department.

Insurance regulator IRDAI has approved amendments mandating insurers to prepare and present financial statements in accordance with applicable Indian Accounting Standards effective April 1, 2026.

The implementation of Ind AS will be applicable to all categories of insurers — life, general, stand alone health insurers and reinsurers. The amendment sets out the regulatory framework governing the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial statements under Ind AS.

Introduction of Ind AS aims to enhance consistency, transparency and comparability in financial reporting across the insurance sector, in alignment with globally accepted standards, IRDAI said on Monday, announcing approval for the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026.

The Indian Navy has received Sanshodhak, the fourth and final Survey Vessel (Large) built under a four-ship project at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The vessel was delivered on March 30, marking the completion of the project contracted in October 2018. The earlier ships of the class — Sandhayak, Nirdeshak and Ikshak — were commissioned between February 2024 and November 2025.

Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built at GRSE, Sanshodhak is equipped to undertake hydrographic surveys in coastal as well as deep-water areas, including mapping harbour approaches and navigational routes. It is also capable of collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for both defence and civilian use.