The Environment Ministry notified the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, replacing the 2016 rules from 1 April 2026 for both urban and rural local bodies. Waste must be separated at source into four streams: wet, dry, sanitary and special-care.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation launched PAIMANA (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-building), a web platform for tracking Central Sector infrastructure projects costing Rs 150 crore or more. It replaces the Online Computerised Monitoring System of 2006 with real-time monitoring and links through APIs to DPIIT's Integrated Project Monitoring Portal.
Kerala announced a separate Elderly Budget for FY27, the first Indian State to do so. It earmarks Rs 46,236.52 crore, roughly 19.07% of the State Budget, bringing together spending on pensions, healthcare, social security and welfare schemes for senior citizens. About 68% of the amount goes towards pensions of retired government employees.
The Karnataka Cabinet cleared the use of ballot papers and ballot boxes instead of Electronic Voting Machines for the panchayat polls due in February 2026. To give this legal backing, the government plans to bring the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
India stands fifth worldwide in biomass energy production in 2026. The United States leads, Brazil is second largely because of sugarcane-based bioethanol, Indonesia is third and China fourth. Biomass energy is generated from organic matter such as wood, crop residues, food waste and animal dung, and is treated as renewable because these materials can be regenerated.
In the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking, Delhi emerged as the most affordable city in the world for international students, with Mumbai 11th and Bengaluru 15th on the affordability measure. The ranking assessed 150 cities on six indicators, including affordability, employer activity, university rankings and desirability.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted a test launch of the Agni-3, a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile, off the Odisha coast. The test validates the operational readiness of one of the key missiles in India's strategic deterrent arsenal.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) signed a tripartite memorandum to set up the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). It will cover six eastern districts: Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator. Powers over 46 subjects will be devolved to the body along with financial support for regional development.
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