Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Launches 'Dravidam 2.0' Urban Housing Mission for 2.5 Lakh Beneficiaries Chief Minister M.K. Stalin officially launched the Dravidam 2.0 Urban Housing Mission on 3 April 2026, targeting the construction of 2,50,000 affordable housing units across 22 urban local bodies in Tamil Nadu. The scheme, funded jointly by the state (60%) and Centre (40%) under PM Awas Yojana–Urban 2.0, carries a total outlay of ₹18,500 crore over three years. Priority will be given to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and women-headed households in the economically weaker section (EWS) category.
Chennai–Madurai Greenfield Expressway Phase-I Inaugurated The first phase of the 440-km Chennai–Madurai Greenfield Expressway — covering the Chennai Outer Ring Road junction to Trichy (219 km) — was inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari and CM Stalin on 8 April 2026. Built at a cost of ₹22,300 crore under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the six-lane access-controlled highway will reduce travel time between Chennai and Trichy from 5.5 hours to under 2.5 hours. Phase-II (Trichy to Madurai) is scheduled for completion by December 2027.
Tamil Nadu Records Highest-Ever Goods Exports of ₹1.18 Lakh Crore in FY 2025–26 Tamil Nadu's merchandise exports reached a record ₹1.18 lakh crore (approximately $14.1 billion) in FY 2025–26, a growth of 11.3% over the previous year's ₹1.06 lakh crore, according to data released by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau on 10 April 2026. Engineering goods, auto components, textiles, and leather products were the top four export categories, contributing 68% of total exports. The United States, Germany, UAE, and Singapore remained Tamil Nadu's top export destinations.
₹12,000 Crore Green Hydrogen Corridor Announced Along Gulf of Mannar Coast The Tamil Nadu government announced a ₹12,000 crore Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Corridor spanning the Gulf of Mannar coastline from Thoothukudi to Rameswaram on 12 April 2026. The corridor will host electrolyser installations powered by offshore wind and solar energy, targeting an annual green hydrogen production capacity of 1.5 lakh metric tonnes by 2030. The project will be executed through the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (TNGEC) in partnership with three private consortia.
Tamil Nadu Becomes India's Top State in Ease of Doing Business Ranking 2026 The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released its Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2025 rankings on 14 April 2026, with Tamil Nadu securing the top rank (Achiever category, Rank 1) for the first time, ahead of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Key factors cited included single-window clearance processing time reduced to an average of 4.2 days, 97% online service delivery for 422 regulatory approvals, and zero pending labour law compliance inspections older than 30 days.
New Metro Rail Phase-III Work Commenced in Chennai The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) commenced civil construction work for Phase-III of the Chennai Metro on 18 April 2026, covering a 116-km network across four new corridors. The Phase-III project, approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2026 at a cost of ₹63,941 crore, will connect Sholinganallur, Siruseri, Poonamallee, and Tambaram to the existing network. The project is expected to benefit approximately 20 lakh daily commuters upon completion in 2031.
Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation Signs MoUs with 14 MNCs The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) signed memoranda of understanding with 14 multinational companies — including Siemens, Bosch, Hyundai India, Foxconn, and Schneider Electric — on 21 April 2026 to train 75,000 youth in advanced manufacturing, EV technology, and semiconductor assembly. The initiative is part of the state's 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme 2.0, with training centres being established in 12 districts. Stipends of ₹3,000 per month will be provided to trainees from below-poverty-line (BPL) families.
Tamil Nadu Water Grid Project Phase-II Reaches 70% Completion The Tamil Nadu Water Grid (TNWG) Phase-II, which aims to supply drinking water to all 12,525 rural habitations in 27 districts of northern and central Tamil Nadu, has achieved 70% physical completion as of April 2026, State Minister for Rural Development announced on 22 April 2026. The project, funded with ₹9,267 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission, has already provided functional household tap connections (FHTC) to 42 lakh households. Full completion is targeted by September 2026.
Tamil Nadu Introduces 'Amma Mini Clinics 2.0' — 1,500 New Clinics Planned Health Minister Ma. Subramanian announced the expansion of the Amma Mini Clinic programme into its second phase, with 1,500 new clinics to be set up in urban slums and peri-urban areas across the state by March 2027. Each clinic under the ₹900 crore scheme will have a staff nurse, a pharmacist, and basic diagnostic equipment covering 52 tests. The first phase, launched in 2023, successfully operated 1,000 clinics serving over 2.1 crore patient consultations.
Six New District Collectors Appointed in Tamil Nadu The Tamil Nadu government effected a major IAS reshuffle on 25 April 2026, appointing new District Collectors in Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, and Vellore districts. The reshuffle, involving 28 IAS officers, also saw the appointment of a new Principal Secretary for Finance and a new Commissioner for Land Administration. The transfer orders were issued under Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena's recommendations.
Tamil Nadu Tiger Reserve Gets UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Status — Mudumalai Expanded UNESCO officially expanded the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve's core zone on 26 April 2026, incorporating an additional 148 sq km of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve buffer area. Tamil Nadu's forest department confirmed that the tiger population in Mudumalai–Bandipur–Nagarhole complex had increased to 131 individuals (up from 114 in 2022 census). This makes the Nilgiri landscape — spanning Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala — home to the world's single largest tiger population in a contiguous forest area.
Tamil Nadu Launches Dedicated EV Manufacturing Policy 2026 The Tamil Nadu government released its Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Policy 2026 on 28 April 2026, offering 25% capital subsidy (up to ₹500 crore per project) for EV manufacturers, 100% stamp duty exemption, and power tariff concession of ₹1.50 per unit for 10 years. The policy targets attracting investments of ₹50,000 crore and creating 1.5 lakh direct jobs in the EV ecosystem by 2030. Hosur in Krishnagiri district and Oragadam near Chennai have been designated as EV Special Manufacturing Zones.
TN Board Class 10 and 12 Examinations 2026 — Results Announcement The Directorate of Government Examinations, Tamil Nadu announced Class 10 (SSLC) results on 14 April 2026 with an overall pass percentage of 91.8%, an increase of 1.2 percentage points over 2025. Class 12 (HSC) results were announced on 19 April 2026 with a pass percentage of 94.3%, with girls outperforming boys at 95.7% vs. 92.6%. Ariyalur district topped among all districts for SSLC results while Nilgiris district recorded the highest HSC pass percentage.
Chennai Becomes First Indian City to Launch AI-Powered Traffic Management System The Greater Chennai Traffic Police, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA) and a consortium led by Tata Consultancy Services, launched India's first city-wide AI-powered Adaptive Traffic Signal Control System (ATSCS) on 30 April 2026. The system, covering 520 major intersections across Chennai, uses real-time camera feeds and machine learning to dynamically adjust signal timings, reportedly reducing average vehicle wait time by 27% during pilot trials. The ₹410 crore project is funded under the Smart Cities Mission.
India — National Affairs
Parliament Passes Digital India Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 Both Houses of Parliament passed the Digital India Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 during the Budget Session, with Rajya Sabha clearing it on 6 April 2026. The amendment strengthens the Data Protection Board's adjudicatory powers, introduces mandatory 72-hour breach notification requirements, and imposes penalties up to ₹500 crore for significant data fiduciaries. The Bill also adds provisions specific to children's data processing, requiring verifiable parental consent for all users under 18 years.
Supreme Court Delivers Historic Verdict on Sub-Classification Within SC/ST Reservations The Supreme Court's seven-judge constitution bench delivered a landmark ruling on 9 April 2026, affirming that states have the constitutional power to sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within the existing 15% and 7.5% reservation quotas to give preference to the most backward among them. The ruling, authored by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, builds upon the August 2024 Punjab judgment and directs all state governments to provide quantifiable data before implementing sub-classification. The verdict has significant implications for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Union Cabinet Approves PM SVANIDHI 3.0 — Street Vendors' Credit Scheme Extended The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved PM SVANidhi 3.0 on 11 April 2026, extending the micro-credit scheme for street vendors until March 2029 with an enhanced corpus of ₹3,600 crore. The scheme now allows fourth-time borrowers to access loans up to ₹1 lakh (increased from ₹50,000), with an interest subsidy of 7%. Over 62 lakh street vendors have been covered under PM SVANidhi 1.0 and 2.0 since its launch in June 2020.
India's Census 2025 Final Data Released — Population Touches 146.1 Crore The Registrar General of India released the final validated data from Census 2025 on 15 April 2026, confirming India's population at 146.1 crore, making it the world's most populous country for the third consecutive year. The sex ratio improved to 952 females per 1,000 males (up from 943 in 2011), while the literacy rate rose to 77.9% (Males: 84.7%, Females: 70.9%). Uttar Pradesh remained the most populous state with 24.1 crore, while Tamil Nadu's population was recorded at 8.02 crore.
DRDO Tests Pralay-ER Extended-Range Ballistic Missile Successfully The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the successful flight test of the Pralay-ER (Extended Range) surface-to-surface ballistic missile on 16 April 2026 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha. The Pralay-ER has a strike range of 750 km (up from 500 km for the original Pralay), carries a conventional warhead of 700 kg, and features a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) to defeat anti-missile systems. The missile will be inducted into the Indian Army's Rocket Force by early 2027.
India Ratifies International Solar Alliance (ISA) Expansion Framework India formally ratified the expanded International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework on 17 April 2026, which opens ISA membership to all 193 UN member states (previously limited to sunshine countries between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn). The ratification was deposited with the ISA Secretariat in Gurugram, Haryana. India pledged an additional $100 million contribution to ISA's Solar Investment Facilitation Fund, bringing its total contribution to $350 million since ISA's founding in 2015.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 — Five-Year Implementation Review Released The Ministry of Education released a comprehensive five-year implementation review of NEP 2020 on 20 April 2026, noting that 28 states had adopted the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), 22 states had restructured teacher education curricula, and 18 states had launched mother-tongue-based multilingual education at primary level. However, the review flagged that only 12 states had fully operationalised multidisciplinary higher education institutions (HEIs) as envisaged. Tamil Nadu was cited as one of the leading states in NEP school-level implementation.
India Launches 'One Nation One Subscription' Scheme for Research Journals The Union government officially launched the 'One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)' scheme on 22 April 2026, providing free access to 13,000+ peer-reviewed international research journals to students and faculty at all 6,300 government higher education institutions. The scheme, funded by the Ministry of Education at ₹6,000 crore for five years, covers journals from 30 leading publishers including Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley. Previously, only premier institutions like IITs and IIMs could afford access to these journals.
Parliament Passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill — Final Notification Issued The Ministry of Minority Affairs issued the gazette notification on 23 April 2026 operationalising the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, following its passage in the Winter Session of Parliament. The amended Act requires mandatory registration of all waqf properties in the Central Waqf Portal within 180 days, includes two non-Muslim members on State Waqf Boards, and empowers district collectors to verify disputed waqf property claims. The notification sets 1 July 2026 as the effective date for key provisions.
India's First Bullet Train — Mumbai–Ahmedabad MAHSR — Partial Section Ready by 2026 End The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) confirmed on 24 April 2026 that the 50-km Surat–Bilimora section of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor will be ready for trial runs by December 2026. The full 508-km corridor between Ahmedabad and Mumbai BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) is now projected for operational launch by 2029. Civil work on 92% of the Gujarat section and 45% of the Maharashtra section has been completed as of April 2026.
Government Announces National Semiconductor Mission Phase-II — ₹76,000 Crore Outlay The Union Cabinet approved Phase-II of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) on 25 April 2026, with a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore to support the establishment of additional fab units, ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging) facilities, and a semiconductor design ecosystem. Phase-I had seen commitments from Tata Electronics (Dholera), CG Power (Sanand), and Micron Technology (Sanand). Phase-II specifically incentivises specialised compound semiconductor and silicon carbide (SiC) chip manufacturing, critical for defence and EV sectors.
India–Pakistan Pahalgam Terror Attack — Operation Sindoor Launched Following the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on 22 April 2026, which killed 26 tourists including 25 Indian nationals and 1 Nepali citizen, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' — a targeted tri-services military operation on 7 May 2026 against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The attack, claimed by a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy group 'The Resistance Front', triggered India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, close the Attari–Wagah border, and cancel all visas issued to Pakistani nationals. This event dominated the national security discourse throughout late April 2026.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Phase-IV Launched Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched PMGSY Phase-IV on 29 April 2026, targeting the construction of 25,000 km of all-weather rural roads with a budget of ₹70,125 crore over five years. Unlike previous phases focusing on road connectivity to unconnected habitations, Phase-IV emphasises upgradation to double-lane specification for high-traffic rural roads and integration with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan portal. Tamil Nadu is expected to receive approximately ₹2,200 crore under the scheme.
International Affairs
IMF World Economic Outlook April 2026 — India's GDP Growth Forecast at 6.8% The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its World Economic Outlook (WEO) for April 2026, projecting India's GDP growth at 6.8% for FY 2026–27, making India the fastest-growing major economy for the fourth consecutive year. Global GDP growth was projected at 3.2%, while China's growth was estimated at 4.4%. The IMF flagged US tariff escalations and geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia as key downside risks to the global economic outlook.
India and EU Sign Comprehensive Trade and Technology Partnership (TTP) India and the European Union concluded a landmark Comprehensive Trade and Technology Partnership (TTP) agreement at the India–EU Summit held in Brussels on 10 April 2026, attended by Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The TTP, which will be India's most expansive trade agreement with the EU, covers goods, services, digital trade, green technology, semiconductors, and intellectual property. Full FTA (Free Trade Agreement) negotiations are expected to conclude by 2027, with interim tariff reductions on 300 product lines effective immediately.
UN Report — India Achieves 'Good Progress' on 9 of 17 SDGs The United Nations released its Voluntary National Review (VNR) assessment for India on 12 April 2026, noting that India had achieved 'good progress' on 9 of 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with complete achievement on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action – mitigation targets). India's solar capacity of 115 GW and meeting its INDC target of 40% non-fossil power capacity 9 years ahead of schedule were specifically highlighted. India was classified as 'on track' for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and 'needs acceleration' for SDG 3 (Good Health).
India Elected to UN Human Rights Council for 2027–29 Term India was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2027–29 term at the UN General Assembly in New York on 14 April 2026, securing 179 out of 193 votes. India will serve its fifth term on the 47-member Council, and has pledged to prioritise digital rights, climate justice, and access to education as its thematic agenda. The election confirms India's continued multilateral engagement despite periodic criticism from some Western nations on domestic human rights issues.
BRICS Finance Ministers' Meeting — New Development Bank Expansion Approved The BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors met in Cape Town, South Africa on 17 April 2026, where the expansion of the New Development Bank (NDB) to include four new member countries — Vietnam, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Mexico — was formally approved. India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the working group on NDB capital adequacy reforms. The NDB's total approved lending portfolio has now crossed $50 billion since its establishment in 2015.
India–US Bilateral Trade Review — Trade Deficit Narrows The India–US Trade Policy Forum convened in Washington D.C. on 18 April 2026, with bilateral trade for FY 2025–26 standing at $152 billion — up 8.3% from $140.3 billion the previous year. India's trade deficit with the US narrowed to $28 billion (from $32 billion in FY 2024–25), helped by a 14% rise in Indian IT services exports. Both sides agreed to a bilateral trade target of $500 billion by 2030, and negotiations on a limited trade package covering pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and agricultural products are ongoing.
WHO Declares Mpox Variant Clade Ib — End of Global Emergency The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the end of the Mpox Clade Ib Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 20 April 2026, after a sustained decline in cases globally. The emergency, first declared in August 2024, saw the Clade Ib variant primarily spread across the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring African nations. India had reported zero cases of Clade Ib and maintained enhanced surveillance at 24 international airports and 5 seaports throughout the emergency period.
India Hosts Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tourism Ministers' Meet India hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur, Rajasthan from 24–25 April 2026, with delegates from 9 member states attending. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the launch of the 'SCO Heritage Tourism Circuit' linking 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across member nations. India proposed hosting a joint SCO Yoga and Wellness Festival in 2027 as part of the 'Incredible India' international outreach programme.
G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting — Statement on South China Sea and Indo-Pacific The G7 Foreign Ministers met in Rome, Italy on 27 April 2026, issuing a joint statement expressing serious concern over Chinese military activities in the South China Sea and reaffirming support for freedom of navigation under UNCLOS. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended as a special invitee and bilateral meetings were held with the US Secretary of State, UK Foreign Secretary, and EU High Representative. The statement also reiterated G7 support for QUAD's free and open Indo-Pacific vision.
World Bank Approves $1.5 Billion Loan for India's Urban Transport Infrastructure The World Bank approved a $1.5 billion (₹12,500 crore) programme loan on 29 April 2026 for India's 'Sustainable Urban Transport Programme (SUTP)', targeting 15 major cities including Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. The programme will fund bus rapid transit systems, non-motorised transport infrastructure, and integrated multi-modal hubs over a six-year period. This is the World Bank's largest single transport-sector loan to India to date.
Economy & Finance
RBI Monetary Policy Committee Cuts Repo Rate by 25 bps to 5.75% The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its bi-monthly review meeting concluded on 9 April 2026, unanimously voted to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.75% — the second consecutive rate cut of the easing cycle that began in February 2026. The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate stands at 5.50% and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate at 6.00%. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra maintained the monetary policy stance as 'accommodative', citing softening inflation and the need to support growth.
India's Retail Inflation (CPI) Eases to 4.1% in March 2026 India's Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation declined to 4.1% in March 2026 from 4.4% in February 2026, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on 14 April 2026. Food inflation eased to 4.9% (from 6.2% in February) on the back of lower vegetable and cereal prices. Core inflation (excluding food and fuel) remained stable at 3.6%, providing RBI with headroom for further monetary easing.
IIP Grows 6.8% in February 2026 — Manufacturing Sector Leads India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a growth of 6.8% in February 2026 (year-on-year), the highest in six months, according to MoSPI data released on 14 April 2026. Manufacturing sector output grew by 7.1%, mining by 4.8%, and electricity by 6.3%. Capital goods production surged 12.4%, indicating strong investment activity, while consumer durables grew 8.7% signalling improved household demand.
SEBI Extends T+0 Settlement to All NSE/BSE Listed Stocks by October 2026 The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a circular on 16 April 2026 mandating the extension of T+0 (same-day) trade settlement to all stocks listed on NSE and BSE by 1 October 2026, following the successful pilot run covering the top 500 stocks by market capitalisation. SEBI also proposed an optional T+0 beta settlement window of 9:15 AM – 1:30 PM (separate from the T+1 session) for institutional investors. This positions India among only four nations globally — alongside Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea — offering T+0 settlement.
India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) Collections Reach ₹2.37 Lakh Crore in March 2026 GST collections for March 2026 (the last month of FY 2025–26) reached an all-time record of ₹2,37,112 crore, up 16.4% year-on-year from ₹2,03,680 crore in March 2025, the Finance Ministry announced on 1 April 2026. Total GST collections for FY 2025–26 stood at ₹22.08 lakh crore, with an average monthly collection of ₹1.84 lakh crore. The total exceeded the revised Budget Estimate of ₹21.50 lakh crore by ₹58,000 crore.
India's Foreign Exchange Reserves Touch $720 Billion — Record High India's foreign exchange reserves surged to a record $720 billion as of 11 April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India's weekly data showed, a rise of $18.3 billion over the preceding four weeks. The jump was attributed to strong FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investment) inflows of $9.4 billion into equity and debt markets, rising gold valuations, and RBI's net purchase of foreign currency. At $720 billion, India's forex reserves cover approximately 12.1 months of projected imports, well above the IMF's recommended 3-month cover.
India's FDI Inflows Rise to $98 Billion in FY 2025–26 — New Record The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced on 22 April 2026 that India attracted FDI (gross) of $98 billion in FY 2025–26, surpassing the previous record of $84.8 billion set in FY 2021–22. Singapore remained the top source of FDI (22%), followed by Mauritius (17%), USA (13%), Netherlands (8%), and Japan (6%). The services sector (27%), computer software and hardware (19%), and telecom (10%) were the top receiving sectors.
State Bank of India Posts Record Annual Net Profit of ₹72,000 Crore State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest public sector bank, announced a record net profit of ₹72,000 crore for FY 2025–26 in its provisional results released on 26 April 2026, an increase of 18.6% over ₹60,703 crore in FY 2024–25. SBI's gross Non-Performing Assets (NPA) ratio improved to 1.82% (from 2.24%), while Net NPA stood at 0.48%. Total loan book grew 14.2% to ₹42.3 lakh crore, with retail and agri loans being the fastest-growing segments.
WPI Inflation Falls to 1.4% in March 2026 — 18-Month Low India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation fell to 1.4% in March 2026 from 2.2% in February 2026, reaching an 18-month low, as per data released by the Office of the Economic Adviser on 15 April 2026. The decline was primarily driven by a fall in prices of manufactured food products (0.8%), basic metals (−0.4%), and textiles (0.6%). Fuel and power inflation remained positive at 3.1%, though lower than the previous month's 4.3%.
India Post Payments Bank Launches 'Aadhaar-Linked Gold Savings' Scheme India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), in partnership with the India Post e-Commerce division and MMTC-PAMP, launched the 'Aadhaar-Linked Digital Gold Savings Scheme' on 28 April 2026, allowing rural customers to save as little as ₹50 per week digitally and redeem in physical gold or cash through any of the 1.65 lakh post office branches. The scheme targets 2 crore beneficiaries, especially women in rural areas, in the first year.