In a significant display of federal collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog with a resounding call to action—urging states and Union Territories to eliminate policy barriers, accelerate development, and align with the national vision of a developed India by 2047. Framed around the theme “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047”, the meeting drew participation from 31 out of 36 states and UTs.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh’s unannounced visit to the Aam Aadmi Clinic in Chalela underscores the state government’s proactive approach toward ensuring quality healthcare delivery. The inspection assessed service standards, patient satisfaction, medicine availability, and diagnostic facilities. Emphasizing preventive healthcare, the minister mandated regular student health screenings and emphasized systematic documentation. Additionally, efforts to improve clinic environs, including plans for a community park, were outlined.

Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Preity G. Zinta, co-owner of the Punjab Kings IPL franchise, has donated Rs. 1.10 crore to the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) under its initiative Operation Sindoor. The donation, drawn from her share of the team’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) allocation, is directed toward empowering widows of military personnel (Veer Naris) and funding the education of their children.

Vedanta Group has announced a sweeping investment plan of Rs. 30,000 crore across India’s northeastern states, reinforcing its strategic commitment to tapping into the region’s vast natural and human resources. Spread across sectors including oil and gas, critical minerals, power, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure, the initiative is expected to generate up to one lakh jobs and catalyze socio-economic transformation. This latest commitment follows a prior Rs.

India’s cricketing future took a decisive turn as Shubman Gill was officially appointed the captain of the national Test team, ushering in a bold new era following the retirements of icons like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Gill, 24, will lead a refreshed squad to England in June, marking the start of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. Supported by a mix of experienced figures and promising young talent, Gill’s leadership is viewed as a long-term investment by selectors.

In a strategic push to bolster regional energy cooperation, state-owned SJVN has inked a power sale agreement with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for the supply of 200 MW from the upcoming 900 MW Arun-III Hydro Electric Project in Nepal. This agreement marks a significant milestone in India's cross-border energy engagements and supports the nation's efforts toward clean energy transition.

India's foreign exchange reserves saw a sharp decline of USD 4.888 billion in the week ending May 16, 2025, bringing total holdings to USD 685.729 billion, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This drop follows a significant gain of USD 4.553 billion in the previous week and comes just months after the reserves reached a record high of USD 704.885 billion in September 2024. The fall was driven largely by a substantial dip in gold reserves, even as foreign currency assets posted a modest increase.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its generic formulations of amlodipine and atorvastatin tablets, key treatments for hypertension and cardiovascular health. The approval covers a wide range of dosage strengths, positioning Alembic to compete directly with branded products like Caduet in the lucrative U.S. market.

Birla Opus, the decorative paints brand under Grasim Industries—flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group—has solidified its position as the second-largest player in India’s decorative paints industry by installed capacity, now reaching 1,096 million litres per annum (MLPA). With the commissioning of its Mahad plant and upcoming production at Kharagpur, Birla Opus is rapidly expanding its footprint, targeting a total planned capacity of 1,332 MLPA.

After a five-year absence, Fortnite has reclaimed its position atop the U.S. App Store charts, signaling a dramatic turning point in the ongoing legal struggle between Apple and Epic Games. Though Apple remains in active litigation over in-app purchase restrictions, Epic circumvented its developer ban by launching Fortnite through a European subsidiary. Now available for download, Fortnite includes direct payment options that bypass Apple's 30% commission—a contentious move at the heart of broader antitrust concerns.