The World Bank Group and the Government of Sri Lanka today launched a new five-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to support Sri Lanka's continued recovery, help achieve its 7% medium-term economic growth target, and support job creation.

“We are committed to building on the continued macroeconomic stability, strengthened governance and revenue-based fiscal consolidation that we have already achieved. Our goal is to confidently steer our economy towards strong, sustainable and inclusive growth. We are working towards an economic growth rate of over 7% in the medium term," said President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake. "The World Bank Group has been with us for more than 7 decades. This partnership will further strengthen that relationship."

India delivered a dominant performance in compound Archery, clinching three gold medals in team events of World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, Thailand. In the women’s team compound final, Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag registered 150-147 victory over Kazakhstan. The men’s team followed suit, as Toman Kumar and Shyam Sunder Swami led India to a convincing 153-146 win against Chinese Taipei. Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar teamed up in the mixed compound event to defeat Indonesia 153-146, securing India’s third gold of the day. 

Bharti Airtel, the country’s second-largest carrier, has crossed 650 million customers across global markets to reinforce its No. 2 position in terms of customers worldwide.

The Sunil Mittal-promoted carrier said Thursday that according to GSMA Intelligence, Bharti Airtel is ranked second globally by mobile customer base, with operations spread across India and Africa.

Commenting on this milestone, Bharti Airtel's Executive Vice Chairman Gopal Vittal said: “Achieving the milestone of 650 million customers to be the second largest operator globally is a great responsibility for us to serve our customers better every day. This is why we invest in state-of-the-art technologies to not only provide connectivity but to also deliver a safe network.”

U.S. engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) Aerospace on Thursday (April 2, 2026) announced delivery of the sixth F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A aircraft.

GE Aerospace has to deliver 99 such engines to HAL.

“GE Aerospace has handed over the sixth F404-IN20 engine against the order from 2021,” said a company spokesperson.

Over the next week, four gaganyatris (astronauts) will undergo an intense battery of tests wherein their physical, physiological, and mental strengths will be assessed in the backdrop of extreme living conditions in Ladakh.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Friday announced the launch of Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) to take place between April 2-9 in Leh. Results obtained from Mission MITRA will contribute towards designing and developing India’s manned Gaganyaan mission.

As part of this mission, four astronaut-designates – Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap – will be tested for their physiological, psychological, and operational dynamics under the behavioural set of tests. In addition, they will be observed for their abilities to communicate, adapt, and handle stress, and their resilience to extreme conditions, Isro said.

Uchral Nyam-Osor has been elected Mongolia’s new prime minister, becoming the country’s third leader in nine months as political instability and economic pressures intensify. Parliament confirmed him with a strong majority, elevating a reform-minded compromise candidate after weeks of deadlock that forced his predecessor to resign. Uchral previously served as parliament speaker and led the ruling party. A former hip-hop artist turned politician, he later held the digital development and communications portfolio, where he pushed transparency and digital governance reforms. The outgoing prime minister, Zandanshatar Gombojav, stepped down amid pressure linked to corruption allegations involving a senior minister, paving the way for Uchral’s selection as a unifying figure acceptable to rival camps aligned with the president and former leadership.

The Ministry of Education, on the advice of the UGC, has declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an Institution deemed to be a university under a distinct category. In its statement, the Ministry informed that an online application was uploaded on UGC Portal for grant of Institution deemed to be University status under distinct category to NCERT. The Ministry added that the recommendation of the UGC Expert Committee was considered and approved by the commission. The Ministry also directed the NCERT to take appropriate steps to commence research programmes as well as doctoral and innovative academic programmes.

The NCERT is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 by the Government to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education. The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education, prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals among others.

The Khelo India Tribal Games concluded today in Chhattisgarh. The closing ceremony, held this evening, was attended by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, as the Chief Guest. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao was also present on the occasion. International boxer Mary Kom and footballer Bhaichung Bhutia attended as special guests.

On the final day of the Games, Men’s football final and various archery finals were held.

In the Men’s football final played in Raipur, West Bengal defeated Chhattisgarh by one goal to nil to clinch the gold medal, while
Chhattisgarh settled for silver.

In Archery, Jharkhand’s Komalika Bari won the gold medal in the women’s recurve individual event, while Nagaland secured gold in the women’s recurve team event. In the men’s recurve individual category, Arjun Khara of Odisha won the gold medal, while Jharkhand clinched gold in the men’s recurve team event.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday unveiled a new curriculum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking for Classes 3 to 8. Speaking at the launch, Pradhan described the initiative as a “transformative step towards future-ready learning” at the start of the academic year. He emphasised that structured AI education is now formally integrated into the school ecosystem at scale.

The curriculum is supported by detailed modules, comprehensive teacher handbooks, and robust student assessment frameworks. According to the minister, this approach will ensure early and systematic exposure to emerging technologies, laying a strong foundation for young learners to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan today said that the 58 Murals in the Samvidan Sadan are more than just works of art, but they are the visual representation of India’s civilisational journey.

Mr Radhakrishnan said this while releasing the book, Tides of Time, authored by Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty in New Delhi.

The Vice President noted that the book captures the timeless beauty and the professional symbolism of the Parliamentary Murals.

Mr Radhakrishnan said that Democracy is often seen as a modern system that came from the West. He added that India’s ancient texts clearly testify that the concept of democracy is not new to the country.