Daily Current Affairs

On 2 April 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched ‘Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah 2026’ — a national learning week initiative — at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC), New Delhi. The initiative falls under Mission Karmayogi and marks its five-year milestone. The PM articulated the core governance mantra: ‘Nagrik Devo Bhav’ (Citizen is God).

• Reach: Central Ministries, Departments and Organisations (MDOs), States and UTs, and over 250 Civil Services Training Institutions (CSTIs)
• Karmayogi Geet: New initiative promoting values of integrity and service
• Karmayogi Kshamata Connect: Frontline training initiative
• Kartavya Karyakram: Peer Assessment Framework
• AGK Suite: AI-powered Case Study Suite for large-scale capacity building
• Mission Karmayogi: Structural reform shifting civil services from rule-based to role-based (competency-driven) governance

In April 2026, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance, launched an AI-powered website and assistant called ‘Kar Saathi’ to simplify tax filing under the new Income Tax Act, 2025. The launch is tied to the nationwide campaign PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat).

• CBDT: Statutory authority under Ministry of Finance; controls direct tax administration in India (Income Tax, Corporate Tax); HQ: New Delhi
• PRARAMBH: Campaign launched in March 2026 — aims at policy simplification for Viksit Bharat
• Income Tax Act, 2025: Consolidated law replacing the Income Tax Act, 1961; effective from 1 April 2026

In April 2026, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), under MeitY, signed an agreement with MapmyIndia (CE Info Systems Ltd) to integrate authorised Aadhaar service centres into the Mappls Application, improving public access and reducing misinformation about unauthorised centres.

• Services Covered: Adult enrolment, child enrolment, address update, mobile number update
• Coverage: Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs) and all authorised Aadhaar centres nationwide
• UIDAI: Statutory authority under Aadhaar Act, 2016; under MeitY; HQ: New Delhi; established 2009
• MapmyIndia: India’s leading digital maps and geospatial company; operates Mappls (formerly MapmyIndia Maps app); listed on NSE and BSE

In April 2026, Microsoft signed an MoU with Chandigarh University (CU), Punjab to set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skill Center at its Mohali campus. The centre was inaugurated by Sanjay Dhingra (Director of Public Sector, Microsoft) alongside byteXL officials and CU leadership.

• Certifications Offered: Globally recognised Microsoft certifications — AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals), DP-900 (Data Fundamentals), AI-900 (AI Fundamentals); covering AI, ML, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Cybersecurity
• Training: Over 4,400 Microsoft learning modules; hands-on Azure virtual labs; real-world project experience
• New Programmes: Specialised BE in CSE with AI specialisation; online MCA courses; byteXL-partnered AI, ML, GenAI programmes
• Initiative: Part of Microsoft’s ‘AI for All’ initiative — all CU students get access

On 1 April 2026, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) announced the delivery of the first batch of 2,000 NEGEV 7.62×51 Light Machine Guns (LMGs) to India by PLR Systems — a joint venture between IWI and the Adani Group — marking a significant milestone under the ‘Make in India’ initiative with technology transfer.

• NEGEV LMG features: Semi- and fully-automatic modes; effective against fortified targets; lightweight; Picatinny rails and tritium night sights; NATO-compliant; adaptable for helicopters, vehicles, naval platforms
• PLR Systems: India’s first private-sector company to manufacture small arms and ammunition; also secured contract for 1,70,000 Close-Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines (first batch of 18,000 expected 2026)
• Significance: Advances Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing; technology transfer from IWI enables domestic production

President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of the President’s Police Colour (Nishaan) — the highest national honour for a state police force — on Uttarakhand Police (2 April 2026) and Odisha Police (30 March 2026).

• Uttarakhand Police — known for disaster management (2013 Kedarnath tragedy) and large-scale event management (Maha Kumbh, Char Dham Yatra)
• Odisha Police — recognised for anti-Maoist operations and citizen-centric initiatives
• President’s Police Colours: Established in 1951; granted to state/UT forces for sustained excellence in service, professionalism, and public safety

In April 2026, South African top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen (age 37) announced his retirement from international cricket on 2 April 2026 via Instagram. He will continue playing domestic cricket for Lions and franchise cricket.

• T20I debut: 9 October 2018 vs Zimbabwe
• ODI debut: 19 January 2019 vs Pakistan
• Test debut: 26 December 2019 vs England
• ODI avg 50.13 — 2nd highest ODI average for South Africa, behind AB de Villiers
• ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2021
• Leading run-scorer at 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups; scored 133 vs New Zealand at 2023 CWC
• Last T20I: vs Australia, August 2025; last ODI: Champions Trophy vs New Zealand, Lahore

In April 2026, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) designated three major insurers as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26) — unchanged from the previous year and subject to annual review.

• D-SII Definition: Insurers of large size, market importance, and domestic/global inter-connectedness whose distress or failure would significantly impact the domestic financial system — perceived as ‘Too Big to Fail’ (TBTF)
• Key Parameters for Designation: Total revenue (premiums + AUM); global activities across more than one jurisdiction
• IRDAI: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India; statutory regulator for Indian insurance sector; HQ: Hyderabad

On 1 April 2026, the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) announced a strategic collaboration with Indian Gas Exchange Limited (IGX) — India’s first automated national-level gas trading platform — to launch India’s first exchange-traded natural gas derivatives based on a domestic benchmark, pending a formal launch date announcement after SEBI approval.

• Benefits: Efficient risk management tools for producers, consumers, financial institutions, brokers, and investors; enhances market efficiency, liquidity, and transparency
• IGX: India’s first automated national-level gas trading platform; operates under PNGRB; facilitates natural gas trading and price discovery
• NSE: National Stock Exchange of India; India’s largest stock exchange by turnover

In April 2026, Min Aung Hlaing — Senior General and former Commander-in-Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) — was elected as the 11th President of Myanmar by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union), Myanmar’s legislature, winning 429 of 584 votes in a parliament dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

• Background: Min Aung Hlaing led the military coup on 1 February 2021 ousting the government of Aung San Suu Kyi; previously Supreme Commander of the Tatmadaw
• Sanctions: Sanctioned by the US, EU, UK, and Canada for human rights violations
• Myanmar: Official name — Republic of the Union of Myanmar; member of ASEAN

In April 2026, two key leadership changes were announced in major Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs): Krishna Kumar Singh took additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SAIL on an interim basis, following the resignation of Amarendu Prakash; and Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan was appointed CMD of POWERGRID, effective 1 April 2026.

• SAIL: Steel Authority of India Limited; Navratna CPSE under Ministry of Steel; India’s largest steel producer; HQ: New Delhi; established 1973
• POWERGRID: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited; Maharatna CPSE under Ministry of Power; operates India’s national power transmission network; HQ: Gurugram, Haryana; established 1989

On 3 April 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh (Ministry of Defence) formally commissioned INS Taragiri (F41) into the Indian Navy at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. INS Taragiri is the fourth stealth frigate under Project 17A (Nilgiri class), built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

• Weapons & Systems: BrahMos supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missiles; MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles); advanced indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW/SONAR) suite; integrated Platform Management System
• Project 17A: Total of 7 stealth frigates planned — 4 at MDL (Mumbai); 3 at GRSE (Kolkata)
• Legacy: Earlier INS Taragiri was a Leander-class frigate commissioned in 1980 — played key role in developing India’s ASW capabilities
• Defence Exports milestone: India’s defence exports rose to Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025–26 — cited by Rajnath Singh at the commissioning
• Key Dignitaries: CDS General Anil Chauhan; CNS Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi; Captain Jagmohan (CMD, MDL)

In April 2026, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) — the commercial arm of ISRO — signed an MoU with Dhruva Space Private Limited to collaborate in the design, manufacture, testing, and supply of solar panels for global satellite manufacturers.

• Strategic Goal: Enables Dhruva Space to leverage NSIL’s programme management and product assurance expertise to scale space-grade solar panel manufacturing
• Market Size: Space Solar Cells Market expected to grow from USD 1.38 billion (2025) to USD 1.55 billion (2026) at a CAGR of 12.3%
• NSIL: NewSpace India Limited; wholly-owned GoI company; established 6 March 2019 under Companies Act, 2013; under Department of Space (DoS); commercial arm of ISRO
• Dhruva Space: Indian private aerospace startup specialising in satellites and satellite components; one of India’s leading new-generation space companies

International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is observed annually on 2 April — the birth anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author regarded as the ‘father of modern fantasy.’ The 2026 theme is ‘Plant stories and the world will bloom.’

• Hans Christian Andersen: Danish author (1805–1875); born 2 April 1805 in Odense, Denmark
• Famous works: ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Thumbelina’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, ‘The Snow Queen’
• IBBY: International Board on Books for Young People; founded 1953 in Zurich, Switzerland; annually awards the Hans Christian Andersen Award