From Hockey Captain to Kalimpong MLA: Is Bharat Chettri Set to Become Bengal’s First Sports Minister?

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May 6, 2026

The National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) has launched Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) as a new trading segment—marking an important step towards making India’s gold market more transparent, efficient, and organised.

With this launch, NSE aims to bridge the long-standing gap between physical gold and financial markets by offering a secure, regulated, and technology-driven platform for trading gold.

Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) are digital certificates that represent ownership of physical gold. The actual gold is safely stored in SEBI-accredited vaults, while investors can hold and trade it electronically through their demat accounts. Each EGR is fully backed by real gold, ensuring trust and authenticity.

With this move, NSE aims to build a transparent and efficient gold trading ecosystem, enabling better price discovery, wider participation, and increased confidence among stakeholders such as jewellers, refiners, traders, and institutional investors.

In a key milestone, NSE also successfully converted a 1000-gram gold bar into an Electronic Gold Receipt, demonstrating how physical gold can be seamlessly transformed into a secure, tradable digital asset. This highlights the operational readiness of the EGR framework and its ability to support efficient, delivery-backed gold trading.

Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO), NSE, said:
“The introduction of Electronic Gold Receipts at NSE marks a pivotal evolution in how India interacts with its most cherished asset. By leveraging NSE’s robust technology and liquidity framework, we are democratizing access to gold, enabling investors across the nation to trade with unprecedented transparency and confidence. We believe that by creating a seamless, secure, and digital pathway for gold investment, we are positioning gold as a modern, integrated asset class within our capital markets, ultimately reducing dependence on fragmented benchmarks and fostering deeper financial inclusion.”

By enabling electronic holding, assured quality, and easy conversion between physical and digital gold, EGRs make it possible for investors to participate in the gold market—even in smaller quantities. This brings greater flexibility and liquidity, similar to other financial instruments held in demat form.

The National Stock Exchange of India Limited, established in 1994, is India’s largest stock exchange by turnover and the world’s largest derivatives exchange by trading volume (FIA 2025).

PM Modi Calls Sikkim ‘Heaven of the East’, Highlights Tourism & Connectivity at 50th Statehood

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April 28, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday celebrated Sikkim’s 50th statehood anniversary in Gangtok, describing the state as the “Heaven of the East” while praising its natural beauty, peaceful environment, and strong cultural harmony.

He began the day on a light and engaging note by playing football with local youngsters, sharing moments that reflected his connection with the people before moving on to official programmes. Later, he addressed a large gathering at Paljor Stadium, where the golden jubilee celebrations were held with great enthusiasm.

Congratulating the people of Sikkim, the Prime Minister highlighted the state’s remarkable journey over the past five decades. He praised its commitment to preserving nature while achieving steady development. Referring to Sikkim’s rich biodiversity, he made special mention of its orchids, saying that anyone who has not seen them “has not seen anything,” underlining the state’s immense tourism potential.

PM Modi also appreciated the unity among the people, noting that Sikkim stands as an example of harmony where diverse communities come together, especially during such important celebrations. He expressed happiness at being able to attend the event, recalling that an earlier visit had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

The Prime Minister’s visit followed a grand celebrations on Monday evening, when thousands of people lined the streets of Gangtok during his roadshow. The atmosphere was vibrant, with citizens waving the national flag and welcoming him with traditional music and cultural performances.

Emphasising development, PM Modi spoke about the importance of strengthening infrastructure in the region. He highlighted the Sevoke–Rangpo railway project as a key initiative that will connect Sikkim to the national railway network, making travel easier and boosting tourism and economic opportunities.

Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment, the Prime Minister assured continued support for Sikkim’s growth and development. As the state marks 50 years of statehood, his visit added to the celebrations, reflecting both pride in the past and confidence in the future.

NSE Investor Base Crosses 13 Crore; Assam and North East Among Fastest-Growing Regions

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April 28, 2026

The investor base on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has crossed the landmark 13 crore (130 million) unique investors as of April 27, 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion and deepening of India’s capital markets. NSE, India’s largest stock exchange by turnover, continues to play a pivotal role in driving financial inclusion and investor participation across the country.

The total number of client accounts registered with the Exchange has reached 25.7 crore, highlighting growing investor engagement across segments. Over the past five years (FY21–FY26), the investor base has expanded at a robust CAGR of 26.4%, significantly higher than the 15.2% growth recorded in the previous five-year period. This acceleration has been supported by increased digital access, simplified onboarding processes, and sustained investor awareness initiatives.

A key highlight of this growth story is the rising participation from the North Eastern region, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets for investor inclusion. States such as Mizoram (8.7x), Arunachal Pradesh (7.9x), and Assam (6.9x) have recorded multi-fold growth in investor base since FY21, reflecting the expanding reach of capital markets into Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 cities.

Assam alone now accounts for approximately 51.5 lakh (5.15 million) registered investors, underscoring the state’s growing contribution to India’s evolving retail investor landscape. This surge highlights increasing financial awareness, improved digital access, and the success of investor education initiatives in bringing first-time participants into the formal capital market ecosystem.

The broad-based nature of this growth is evident, with states beyond the top 10 contributing 27% of the total investor base, signalling a clear shift towards emerging regions such as the North East. The region continues to stand out, led by strong multi-fold growth across states like Mizoram (8.7x), Arunachal Pradesh (7.9x), and Assam (6.9x). The investor profile is also evolving, with a median age of 33 years, nearly 40% below 30, and one in four investors being women, reflecting deeper and more inclusive participation.

India’s capital markets continue to deliver steady value, with benchmark indices generating annualised returns of 10.8% (Nifty 50) and 13.3% (Nifty 500) over the past five years. The market capitalisation of NSE-listed companies has grown at a CAGR of 18%, reaching ₹460.6 lakh crore, contributing significantly to household wealth creation.

With investor presence now spanning 99.85% of India’s pin codes, the democratisation of capital markets is clearly underway. The strong and sustained momentum in the North East underscores its emergence as a key growth frontier, reflecting rising financial awareness, improved access, and increasing participation from first-time investors across the region.

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), established in 1994, is India’s largest stock exchange by trading volume and a global leader in derivatives trading.

Indian Army conducted a Mega Veterans Rally Strengthening Connect with Ex-Servicemen Community

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April 26, 2026

Spearhead Division of Spearcorps organised a large-scale Veterans Rally on 26 April 2026, in close coordination with the State and District Administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The event witnessed an overwhelming participation of over 1,500 veterans, Veer Naris, serving soldiers, Next of Kin (NOKs) and dependents, reflecting the strong bond between the Armed Forces and its veteran fraternity.

The primary objective of the rally was to reach out to veterans and address key concerns, including pension disbursement anomalies, land and legal matters and other challenges faced by veterans and their families.

The Hon’ble Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and addressed the gathering. Representatives from Rajya Sainik Board Itanagar, Zila Sainik Welfare Offices of Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur, PCDA Guwahati, ECHS, Record Offices, along with officials from state and district administration, government agencies and various banks present at the venue actively assisted veterans in resolving grievances and provided necessary guidance and support.

Veterans were also sensitised about resettlement schemes, second career avenues and re-employment opportunities facilitated by the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO). A comprehensive medical camp was organised to cater to the healthcare needs of attendees.

On this occasion, Veer Naris, Veer Matas, Veer Putris, special children and distinguished veteran achievers were felicitated by the Chief Guest in recognition of their resilience and contributions.

In his address, the Hon’ble Governor highlighted the invaluable contributions of veterans and the supreme sacrifices made by soldiers in service to the nation. He also spoke on pension-related issues, welfare schemes and lauded the wholehearted support of the civil administration in successfully conducting the rally.

Adding vibrancy to the event, a cultural programme was presented by students of Sainik School Ruksin and NCC cadets, showcasing patriotic fervour and youthful energy.

The rally proved to be a significant initiative in addressing routine challenges faced by veterans and Veer Naris. It provided a direct platform for interaction with authorities and reinforced the commitment of the Army and civil administration towards the welfare of the veteran community.

The event concluded on a highly successful note, leaving a lasting positive impact on all participants and further strengthening the bond with the veteran fraternity.k

Sikkim Delegation Meets Union Minister, Seeks Centre’s Support for “Mission Siri”

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April 18, 2026

A high-level delegation from the Government of Sikkim, led by Minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Agriculture, Horticulture and Fisheries, Puran Kumar Gurung, called on Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), at his official residence in New Delhi.

The delegation also included Dr. K.T. Bhutia, Principal Director of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, and Dr. Pratik Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the Sikkim Livestock Development Board.

During the meeting, the Sikkim delegation submitted a Demi-Official (DO) letter addressed to the Union Minister, duly signed by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. The letter outlined a proposal for “Mission Siri,” a flagship conservation initiative aimed at the preservation and promotion of Siri cattle, an indigenous breed significant to the region.

The project is proposed to be implemented by the Sikkim Livestock Development Board under the centrally sponsored Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM). The initiative seeks to strengthen breed conservation, improve genetic quality, and enhance the livelihood of farmers dependent on livestock in the state.

The discussions were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, with the Union Minister giving a patient hearing to the issues and proposals presented by the delegation. He appreciated the state government’s efforts to conserve indigenous cattle breeds and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in strengthening rural economies and sustainable agriculture.

Assuring full support from the Government of India, the Union Minister expressed confidence in the successful implementation of “Mission Siri.” The meeting concluded on a positive note, reflecting strong cooperation and commitment between the Centre and the State towards advancing livestock development and conservation efforts in Sikkim.

Sikkim Likely to Have 11 Women MLAs by 2029 Under Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam

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April 15, 2026

For decades, women in Sikkim have been visible in rallies, grassroots movements, and party work for very long, but largely missing where it matters most: the Legislative Assembly. That imbalance may soon be forced to change.

In the before 2024 Sikkim Assembly, women’s representation remained minimal, with only a handful of women MLAs (around 2–3) in a 32-member House. The numbers tell a clear story—political space has long been dominated by men, despite women forming a crucial part of the electorate and party machinery.

Now, with the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in place, the equation is set to shift dramatically. The law mandates 33% reservation for women in both Lok Sabha & State Assembly, which could push Sikkim to 10–11 women MLAs once implemented—nearly a fourfold jump from current levels.

With reservation becoming inevitable after delimitation, parties will be compelled to rethink strategies, promote women candidates, and invest in leadership beyond tokenism. The coming political cycle could witness a new class of women leaders stepping forward—not as substitutes, but as contenders.

In over two decades, only two women have ever reached the Deputy Speaker’s chair in Sikkim—and none have ever been Speaker.

Women play a decisive role in Sikkim politics. Take Kala Rai, for example—rising from the grassroots after years of struggle, she is now an MLA and a leading force behind Nari Shakti in her party.

From Sushma Swaraj to Nirmala Sitharaman, Mamata Banerjee to Rekha Gupta, and Mayawati—each of them struggled for years before rising to positions of power and going on to lead from the state to the national level.

Women’s political representation has indeed come a long way since the turn of the century.

7 women ministers in the Union Council of Ministers NDA (Modi 3.0 government That’s roughly ~10% representation. If the spirit of 33% reservation reflects in governance, India could see over 20 women ministers by 2029—compared to just 7 today.

Sikkim CM PS Golay has welcomed and backed the bill, calling it a bold and historic step.

On April 17, Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa, along with MLAs Kala Rai and Pamin Lepcha, accompanied by women representatives from across Sikkim, announced a major women-led rally scheduled to be held in the state capital.

The rally aims to celebrate and express gratitude for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. The legislation was passed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They termed the Act a landmark step towards strengthening women’s participation in governance and decision-making, marking a new phase of gender equality and empowerment in the country.

(Written by Roshni Sharma Bhattarai, Editor, The Sikkim Today)

Gauhati High Court Upholds Sikkim’s COI Policy, Overturns Earlier High Court Ruling

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April 12, 2026

The Gauhati High Court has upheld the Sikkim Government’s policy on the issuance and use of the Certificate of Identification (COI), setting aside a previous judgment of the Sikkim High Court that had struck down key restrictions.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury delivered the judgment on April 8, 2026, in connection with a writ appeal filed by the State of Sikkim. The appeal challenged the 2020 decision of the Sikkim High Court, which had declared certain provisions in government notifications as unconstitutional.

At the center of the case were notifications issued in 1995, 1996, and a clarification in 2006, which restricted the use of COI for a particular category of individuals—mainly those whose parents were in government service before December 31, 1969—to employment purposes only. The earlier Sikkim High Court ruling had termed these restrictions arbitrary and violative of fundamental rights.

However, the Gauhati High Court disagreed, stating that the earlier judgment failed to consider Sikkim’s unique constitutional and historical context. The Court emphasized the importance of Article 371-F, which grants special protections to the State and preserves laws that existed prior to its merger with India in 1975.

The Bench observed that the classification among different categories of COI holders was not arbitrary but based on long-standing legal and administrative frameworks, including the Sikkim Subjects Regulation, 1961, and subsequent government rules. It further noted that such distinctions were part of a consistent policy aimed at safeguarding the interests of original Sikkimese residents.

The Court also referred to earlier Supreme Court rulings that upheld preferential treatment for local residents in public employment, reinforcing the legality of the State’s approach.

Importantly, the judgment reaffirmed that policies limiting COI benefits for certain groups to employment purposes were valid and in line with historical practices. It also underscored that continuity of pre-merger laws was essential to ensure a smooth transition and maintain socio-economic balance in the State.

With this ruling, the Gauhati High Court has restored the State Government’s authority to regulate COI issuance and usage, overturning the earlier relief granted by the Sikkim High Court. The verdict is likely to have implications for identity, employment rights, and administrative policies in Sikkim.

Sikkim High Court Rejects Plea of Women Married to Non-Sikkimese

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April 12, 2026

The Sikkim High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by over 100 Sikkimese women married to non-Sikkimese men, challenging restrictions on property rights and the non-issuance of Certificate of Identification (COI) to their children.

The case, Puspa Mishra & Others vs State of Sikkim, was heard by a Single Bench of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, with the judgment pronounced on April 6, 2026.

The petitioners had contested a 2018 government notification and sought directions to grant COI to their children, ensure eligibility for government employment, and secure inheritance rights over immovable property. They argued that the denial of such rights was discriminatory and violated constitutional guarantees under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19, and 21.

However, the Court rejected these arguments, holding that Sikkim’s unique historical and constitutional framework—protected under Article 371-F—continues to govern such matters. It observed that laws in force prior to Sikkim’s merger with India in 1975 remain valid and protected.

Referring to the Sikkim Subject Regulation, 1961, the Court noted that a Sikkimese woman marrying a non-Sikkimese does not retain the same status as a Sikkim Subject, which impacts the rights of her children, including eligibility for COI.

On the issue of alleged gender discrimination, the Court held that while equality is a fundamental right, reasonable classification is permissible in law. It ruled that the distinction between Sikkim Subjects and non-Sikkimese is based on historical and legal considerations and does not violate constitutional provisions.

The Court also clarified that children of such marriages are not entitled to COI under existing rules, but may obtain Residential Certificates (RC), which provide access to various state benefits, including education and certain property rights.

Concluding that the matter falls within the domain of legislative policy, the Court dismissed the petition, stating that any changes must be made through appropriate legal or legislative measures.

Military Engineer Services Honoured with Prestigious CIDC Vishwakarma Awards 2026

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April 11, 2026