Banking and RBI
RBI Governor launches Mission SAKSHAM for Urban Co-operative Banks
28 April 2026 | Business Standard
On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched Mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman), a sector-wide capacity-building and certification framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs). It is a mission-mode, all-India training initiative with in-person and e-learning programmes.
The programmes cover about 1.40 lakh participants across board members, senior management, heads of risk, compliance and audit functions, and employees in IT and other critical areas. The RBI said it will try to deliver content in regional languages where feasible. The mission was designed in consultation with the Umbrella Organisation of UCBs and national and State cooperative federations.
Key facts- Launched: 28 April 2026 by Governor Sanjay Malhotra
- Full name: Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman
- Target: about 1.40 lakh participants of UCBs
- Content: in-person and e-learning, regional languages where feasible
Exam takeaway: UCBs are Urban Co-operative Banks, co-operative banks operating in urban and semi-urban areas.
Quick revision: RBI Mission SAKSHAM (28 Apr 2026): training for about 1.40 lakh UCB staff and board members.
Business Standard original sourceEconomy and Finance
Income Tax Department holds outreach on the Income Tax Act, 2025
28 April 2026 | Press Information Bureau, Mumbai
PIB Mumbai reported on 28 April 2026 that the Income Tax Department held an outreach programme in Ghatkopar on the Income Tax Act, 2025, which came into effect from 1 April 2026, as part of a nationwide awareness drive. Over 350 taxpayers, chartered accountants and trade representatives took part.
Dr Vikram Sahay, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai, said the new Act reduces compliance cost through simplification and rationalisation. He said over 30 outreach programmes will be held in Mumbai in April and May, with a Mega Outreach event on 12 May 2026. Participants were also familiarised with digital services such as the AI-enabled 'Kar Saathi' chatbot.
Key facts- Law: Income Tax Act, 2025, effective 1 April 2026
- Event: Ghatkopar outreach, 28 April 2026
- Over 30 outreach programmes in Mumbai in April-May
- Digital aid: AI-enabled 'Kar Saathi' chatbot
Exam takeaway: Taxpayer outreach explains new laws and digital services to reduce compliance errors.
Quick revision: Income Tax Act 2025 (effective 1 Apr 2026): IT Dept outreach; Mega Outreach on 12 May.
Press Information Bureau, Mumbai original sourceGovernment Schemes
Rs 75 crore new building for Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
28 April 2026 | Press Information Bureau
On 28 April 2026 Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone of a Rs 75 crore, seven-storey additional building at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, with about one lakh sq ft built-up area. The event was held at the IIA campus in Koramangala.
PIB notes that Union Budget 2026 announced four world-class telescopes to be developed by IIA: the National Large Solar Telescope, the National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope, an upgrade of the Himalayan Chandra Telescope and the COSMOS-2 Planetarium. The Minister said IIA's indigenous technologies are used in ISRO and other national and international missions, and traced its history to the Madras Observatory.
Key facts- Project: new building at IIA, Bengaluru; cost Rs 75 crore
- Seven storeys, about 1 lakh sq ft
- Budget 2026: four telescopes/facility projects for IIA
- Foundation stone laid by Dr Jitendra Singh
Exam takeaway: IIA is a research institute under the Department of Science and Technology.
Quick revision: IIA Bengaluru: Rs 75 crore seven-storey building; Budget 2026 telescopes (NLST, NLOT, HCT upgrade, COSMOS-2).
Press Information Bureau original source