India’s real GDP grew 7.8% in the April-June quarter of FY 2026-27, according to the latest national accounts data, giving the economy a strong start to the new financial year. Key numbersReal GDP at constant prices was estimated at ₹81.36 lakh crore in Q1 FY27, compared with ₹75.46 lakh crore in the same quarter a year earlier. Nominal GDP grew 10.3% to ₹88.27 lakh crore. Real GVA grew 8.2%, while investment, household consumption and exports also recorded strong growth duri

SEMICON India 2026 is set to bring global chip companies, policymakers, researchers and startups together in New Delhi as India moves from attracting semiconductor projects toward building a broader ecosystem. What is SEMICON India 2026The fifth edition will be held from 17–19 September at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi under the theme ‘Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.’ It is jointly organised with the India Semiconductor Mission, MeitY and SEMI. The event focuses on the

India is preparing for Census 2027 with a major shift toward digital data collection, making the exercise an important development for governance, planning and demographic policy. What is changingThe upcoming census is designed around digital tools, including mobile-based enumeration and online self-enumeration. The exercise is being conducted after the decennial census scheduled for 2021 was delayed. The government has also announced that caste enumeration will form part of

The Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai highlighted the next phase of financial technology, with agentic AI, tokenisation and quantum technologies among the major themes. Why fintech is changingIndia’s digital-finance ecosystem has moved beyond basic digital payments toward programmable finance, embedded financial services, AI-assisted decision-making and new forms of digital assets. The next stage will depend heavily on trust: strong identity, cybersecurity, consumer protecti

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, bringing the expanded grouping into focus at a time of major geopolitical and economic uncertainty. What is happeningIndia assumed the BRICS chairship on 1 January 2026 for the fourth time. The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam and is built around the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.’ BRICS now includes 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India,

The conclusion of India-EU free-trade negotiations in 2026 is one of the year’s most important economic and diplomatic developments, with implications for trade, investment, manufacturing and services. What the agreement is designed to doThe agreement aims to reduce or eliminate tariffs across a large share of goods while improving market access for businesses on both sides. Sensitive sectors retain protections, reflecting the need to balance openness with domestic interests.

Indian Railways is expanding Kavach 4.0 across high-density routes as part of a wider effort to strengthen automatic train protection and improve railway safety. What Kavach doesKavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system designed to help prevent collisions, overspeeding and signal-passing-at-danger incidents. It can automatically apply brakes when specified safety conditions are breached. The system combines onboard equipment, trackside infrastructure, radio co

The Bharat Innovates Exposition being held alongside the 18th BRICS Summit is showcasing Indian deep-tech innovations and linking universities, startups, investors and global partners. What is being showcasedThe exposition features 37 Indian deep-tech innovators working across areas such as AI-enabled health screening, floating solar systems, marine robotics, advanced mobility and other emerging technologies. The programme is designed to connect India’s higher-education innov

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Summit, putting India-China relations back at the centre of current diplomacy. Why the meeting mattersThe meeting is significant because it comes after years of military tension along the Himalayan border. The two sides have gradually moved from confrontation toward cautious stabilisation, but the core boundary dispute remains unresolved. Both leaders discussed im

ISRO successfully launched EOS-05 aboard GSLV-F17 in September 2026, adding a new Earth-observation capability and demonstrating India’s growing flexibility in using higher orbits for imaging missions. What is EOS-05EOS-05 is an Earth-observation spacecraft designed for frequent observation of the Indian region. It is notable because it is India’s first dedicated imaging satellite intended to operate from geosynchronous orbit. The GSLV-F17 mission placed the satellite into a

NATO is a political and military alliance built around collective defence. Its strategic role has evolved as the security environment in Europe and beyond has changed. The Collective Defence PrincipleThe alliance is built around the principle that an armed attack against one member can be treated as an attack against all. The purpose is to deter aggression and provide a framework for coordinated defence. How NATO Makes DecisionsNATO operates through consultation and consensus

World Heritage sites represent places considered to have outstanding cultural or natural value. The programme connects conservation with international recognition and encourages countries to protect important parts of humanity’s shared heritage. Cultural HeritageCultural sites can include historic cities, monuments, archaeological areas and architectural masterpieces. They help societies understand earlier civilizations and preserve physical evidence of human creativity. Natu

The G7 is a forum for advanced industrial democracies to coordinate on economic, geopolitical and global policy questions. It is not a world government, but its members have substantial economic and diplomatic influence. Who ParticipatesThe core group consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the European Union participating in G7 work. What the G7 DiscussesTopics can include economic policy, energy, security, technology

Population patterns influence economies, cities, schools, healthcare, migration and political priorities. The world population is not changing uniformly: some countries are young and growing while others are aging or shrinking. Population DistributionPeople are concentrated in regions with favorable climates, water supplies, productive agriculture and economic opportunities. Major population centers have developed around river valleys, coasts and urban corridors. Urbanization

Education is one of the most important long-term investments societies make. Around the world, systems differ in funding, curriculum, access and outcomes, but they share the challenge of preparing people for changing economies and societies. Access to Basic EducationPrimary and secondary education provide foundational literacy, numeracy and social skills. Access has expanded globally, but quality and completion still vary widely. Higher Education and SkillsUniversities, colle

Globalization describes the growing connections among economies, societies and people through trade, technology, finance, migration, culture and communication. It has created major opportunities while also increasing interdependence. Trade and Supply ChainsProducts can cross multiple borders before reaching consumers. This specialization can lower costs and increase choice, but disruptions in one region can affect businesses elsewhere. Technology and InformationThe internet a

A world map is more than a picture of continents. Geography influences trade routes, climate, population distribution, security, resources and the strategic importance of countries and regions. The ContinentsAsia is the largest and most populous continent, while Africa has one of the world’s fastest-growing populations. Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica each have distinctive physical and political characteristics. The Major OceansThe Pacific, Atla

The United Nations is the central forum for countries to discuss problems that cross borders. Understanding how it works helps explain diplomacy, peace and security, humanitarian action and international cooperation. The General AssemblyThe General Assembly brings together UN member states and provides a forum where countries debate global issues. Each member has one vote, making it important for diplomatic legitimacy, although most Assembly resolutions are recommendations ra

Climate change crosses national borders because the atmosphere and oceans are shared systems. Understanding the science and international response is essential to understanding one of the defining global challenges of this century. What Drives Modern WarmingHuman activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use, have increased concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. Different Regions, Different RisksClimate impacts vary by geography. Coasta

The European Union is a unique political and economic partnership in which member states cooperate through common institutions and shared rules. Its influence extends well beyond Europe through trade and regulation. How the EU Is OrganizedThe European Commission proposes and implements policy, the European Parliament represents citizens, and the Council represents national governments. Other institutions also play important roles. The Single MarketThe EU single market aims to