🇮🇳 National News
On 2 April 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) signed a Plan of Implementation (PoI) with South Korea’s Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in New Delhi to enhance skill development in India’s shipbuilding and maritime sector. The agreement aligns with the objectives of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Agreement signed | 2 April 2026, New Delhi |
| Indian signatory | Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) |
| Korean partner | KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) |
| Research body | KRIVET (Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training) |
| KOICA established | 1991; HQ: Seongnam, South Korea |
| Vision aligned with | Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047 |
- Project title: ‘Support the Establishment of Development Strategies and to Build a Foundation for Skilled and Professional Talents for the Indian Shipbuilding and Marine Sector’
- KRIVET role: Will conduct research on India’s shipbuilding and marine engineering sectors
- Implementation: Bilateral workshops in India and South Korea with industry experts, policymakers, and academic institutions
- KOICA: South Korea’s official government agency for grant aid and technical cooperation
- MAKV 2047: India’s long-term maritime development roadmap targeting global maritime leadership by 2047
Key facts: MoPSW signed PoI with KOICA on 2 April 2026 in New Delhi. KOICA = South Korea’s official aid agency, est. 1991, HQ Seongnam. Research by KRIVET. Linked to Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Connect to India’s goal to become a global maritime leader.
On 30 March 2026, the Ministry of Education (MoE), through its Department of Higher Education (DHE), declared NCERT as a ‘Deemed to be University’ under a distinct category as per Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The status covers NCERT and six constituent institutions across India.
| Institution | Location |
|---|---|
| Regional Institute of Education (RIE) | Ajmer, Rajasthan |
| RIE | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| RIE | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| RIE | Mysuru, Karnataka |
| North East RIE | Shillong, Meghalaya |
| PSSCIVE | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
- Academic powers gained: NCERT can now offer Diploma, UG, PG, Doctoral, and Post-Doctoral programmes
- Financial restraint: Cannot divert assets/funds without prior permission from UGC and Central Government; must not engage in profit-making activities
- NCERT: Statutory body under MoE; HQ: New Delhi; established 1961; advises Centre and State Governments on education policy and curriculum
- UGC Act, 1956: Regulates university education in India; UGC HQ: New Delhi
NCERT declared Deemed to be University on 30 March 2026 by MoE/DHE under Section 3, UGC Act 1956. Covers NCERT + 6 RIEs. NCERT established 1961, HQ New Delhi. Now empowered to offer Diploma to Post-Doctoral programmes. Cannot engage in commercial/profit-making activities.
In April 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Ministry of Communications) released a Rs 5 commemorative postage stamp at Rang Bhawan Sabhagaar, Akashwani Bhawan, New Delhi, marking the Platinum Jubilee (75 years) of the Postal Training Centre (PTC), Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- PTC Saharanpur established: 2 April 1951; replaced informal training systems with a structured framework
- Significance: Instrumental in strengthening India’s postal network over 75 years
- Future Vision: India aims to become a global logistics powerhouse by 2030, with India Post playing a key role
- Department of Posts: Under Ministry of Communications; India Post — world’s largest postal network with 1.5+ lakh post offices; HQ: New Delhi
PTC Saharanpur established 2 April 1951; 75th (Platinum Jubilee) in 2026. Commemorative stamp: Rs 5, released by Jyotiraditya Scindia (Ministry of Communications). India Post = world’s largest postal network, 1.5+ lakh post offices. India’s logistics powerhouse target: 2030.
In April 2026, the Government of Goa and the Cochin Port Authority (CPA) signed an agreement to adopt SAMPANN — the flagship digital pension and financial management platform of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications — to streamline pension disbursement.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full form | System for Accounting and Management of Pension |
| Designed & operated by | CGCA (Controller General of Communications Accounts) |
| Technology model | Cloud end-to-end; offered as Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) |
| New adopters | Government of Goa & Cochin Port Authority (CPA) |
| Signed at | 75th anniversary event of PTC Saharanpur |
- SAMPANN: Cloud-based, end-to-end digital pension management system; offered as PaaS to departments, state governments, and PSUs
- Signatories: G. Sandeep Kumar Goud (Deputy, CGCA); Kasiviswanath (Chairman, CPA); Shakeel Ul Rehman Rather (Resident Commissioner, Goa Government)
- Significance: Strengthens modern, accountable, citizen-centric governance through reuse of proven national digital platforms
SAMPANN = System for Accounting and Management of Pension; flagship platform of DoT (Department of Telecommunications). Designed by CGCA; cloud-based PaaS model. New adopters: Government of Goa and Cochin Port Authority. Connect to India’s Digital India and e-governance initiatives.
In April 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology, launched the BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at the CSIR-CFTRI campus in Mysuru, Karnataka, aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship in food bioprocessing and biotechnology.
- BIRAC-BioNEST: Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies; provides infrastructure, mentorship, and funding to early-stage biotech startups
- Aim: Facilitate startups in converting innovation ideas into commercially viable technologies in food bioprocessing & biotech
- Also launched: Foundation stone for hostel complex under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) at MG Halli campus of CSIR-CFTRI
- BIRAC: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council; under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), MoS&T; promotes biotech entrepreneurship; HQ: New Delhi
- CSIR-CFTRI: Central Food Technological Research Institute; HQ: Mysuru, Karnataka; established 1950
BIRAC-BioNEST centre launched at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru by Dr. Jitendra Singh (MoS, Science & Technology). BIRAC under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), HQ New Delhi. CSIR-CFTRI established 1950, HQ Mysuru. Foundation stone for hostel under RKVY also laid. Focus: biotech startup ecosystem.
The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 (KITG 2026) concluded in Chhattisgarh, held across Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja from 25 March to 3 April 2026. Karnataka emerged as the overall champion with 38 medals (23 Gold, 8 Silver, 7 Bronze).
| Rank | State | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnataka | 23 | 8 | 7 | 38 |
| 2 | Odisha | 21 | 15 | 21 | 57 |
| 3 | Jharkhand | 16 | 8 | 11 | 35 |
- Inaugurated by: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (MoYAS) in Raipur on 25 March 2026
- Organisers: MoYAS, SAI, NSFs, Chhattisgarh State Organising Committee, IOA
- Medal sports (7): Archery, Athletics, Football, Hockey, Swimming, Weightlifting, Wrestling
- Demonstration sports: Mallakhamb and Kabaddi
- Total medals: 338 (106 Gold, 106 Silver, 126 Bronze) across events
- Mascot: ‘Morveer’ — symbolising the pride and spirit of tribal communities
First-ever Khelo India Tribal Games held in Chhattisgarh (25 March – 3 April 2026). Overall champion: Karnataka (23G, 8S, 7B). Inaugural launch by Mansukh Mandaviya (MoYAS). Mascot: Morveer. 7 medal sports; Demonstration: Mallakhamb & Kabaddi. Total medals: 338. Organised under Khelo India movement.
💼 Business & Economy
In April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the indicative borrowing calendar for Q1 FY27 (April–June 2026), under which state governments and UTs are set to collectively raise Rs 2,54,509 crore. A new Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) was introduced on a pilot basis.
| Category | States/Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Q1 FY27 borrowing | Rs 2,54,509 crore |
| BIS pilot states (9) | Rs 1,53,900 crore |
| Remaining states/UTs | Rs 1,00,609 crore |
- Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS): Enhances transparency and stability; states issue securities across pre-defined maturity buckets under a pre-announced schedule
- Nine BIS Pilot States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh
- RBI’s role: Acts as debt manager for state governments; raises funds through State Development Loans (SDL) / Dated Securities
RBI announced state borrowing of Rs 2,54,509 crore for Q1 FY27 (April–June 2026). New initiative: Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS) — pilot with 9 states (AP, Bihar, CG, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, UP). RBI acts as debt manager for states via State Development Loans.
In April 2026, the RBI reported that the share of CASA (Current Account and Savings Account) deposits in total bank deposits declined to a 2-year low of 37.9% in the December 2025 quarter, down from 40.1% in December 2023.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| CASA ratio (Dec 2025) | 37.9% (2-year low) |
| CASA ratio (Dec 2023) | 40.1% |
| Savings account share fall | −210 basis points → 28.9% |
| Total bank deposits (YoY growth) | 10% → Rs 69.4 lakh crore |
| CDs issuance FY26 (record) | Rs 15.5 lakh crore (+17% YoY) |
- Key driver: Depositors shifted to higher-yielding options — equities, Mutual Funds (MFs), and gold — slowing deposit mobilisation
- Savings deposits: Rose 8% YoY to Rs 21.4 lakh crore; current account deposits increased 10%
- Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Reached record Rs 15.5 lakh crore in FY26, up 17% YoY — lenders relied on market borrowings to support credit growth
CASA ratio = proportion of low-cost deposits (current + savings accounts) in a bank’s total deposits. A higher CASA ratio = lower cost of funds for banks. A falling CASA ratio signals rising cost of funds and squeezing margins.
CASA ratio hit 2-year low of 37.9% in December 2025 quarter (from 40.1% in Dec 2023). Savings account share fell 210 basis points to 28.9%. Total bank deposits grew 10% YoY to Rs 69.4 lakh crore. CDs hit record Rs 15.5 lakh crore (+17% YoY) in FY26. Falling CASA = rising cost of funds for banks.
🔬 Science & Technology
On 3 April 2026, the Indian Navy commissioned its third indigenously built SSBN (Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear) — INS Aridhaman (S4) — at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Union Minister Rajnath Singh (MoD) presided over the ceremony and also laid the foundation stone for a Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT).
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name meaning | ‘Vanquisher of Foes’ / ‘Destroyer of Enemies’ |
| Class | Arihant-class SSBN; Designation: S4 |
| Displacement | ~7,000 tonnes |
| Built under | Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project |
| Reactor | 83 MW CLWR (Pressurised Water Reactor) by BARC |
| Launch date | 21 November 2021 |
| Commissioning date | 3 April 2026 |
| Vertical launch tubes | 8 (double capacity of INS Arihant’s 4 tubes) |
- Missile payload: 8 × K-4 SLBMs (range: 3,500 km) OR 24 × K-15 Sagarika SLBMs (range: 750 km)
- Arihant Class fleet: INS Arihant (2016) → INS Arighaat (August 2024) → INS Aridhaman (3 April 2026) — India now has THREE operational SSBNs
- Nuclear triad: India’s land + air + sea nuclear capability now considered FULLY OPERATIONAL
- CASD: Continuous At-Sea Deterrence — at least one SSBN on patrol at all times
- Base: ‘Project Varsha’ high-security naval facility near Visakhapatnam
- Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT): Will test hydrodynamic performance of submarines and surface ships; only the second such facility in India
India’s nuclear triad comprises land-based missiles (Agni series), air-delivered bombs (IAF aircraft), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SSBNs). With 3 operational SSBNs, India can now maintain Continuous At-Sea Deterrence (CASD) — a cornerstone of credible nuclear deterrence.
INS Aridhaman (S4) commissioned on 3 April 2026 at Visakhapatnam. Third Arihant-class SSBN; displacement ~7,000 tonnes; built under ATV project. Reactor: 83 MW CLWR by BARC. Carries K-4 (3,500 km) or K-15 Sagarika (750 km) SLBMs. India’s nuclear triad now fully operational. Foundation stone for LCT also laid — India’s 2nd such facility.
In April 2026, ISRO launched ‘Mission MITRA’ (Mapping of Interoperable Traits & Reliability Assessment), a high-altitude analogue mission from Leh, Ladakh, conducted between 2 and 9 April 2026, to gather vital data on crew performance and human factors for India’s Gaganyaan programme. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan inaugurated the mission virtually on 2 April.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full form | Mapping of Interoperable Traits & Reliability Assessment |
| Location | Leh, Ladakh |
| Altitude | 3,500 metres above sea level |
| Duration | 2 – 9 April 2026 (1 week) |
| Inaugurated by | V. Narayanan (ISRO Chairman), virtually |
| Designed by | ISRO’s HSFC + IAM (Indian Air Force) |
- Objective: Test physiological, psychological, and operational performance under extreme cold, low oxygen (hypoxia), and isolation
- Four Gaganyatris participating: Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla; Gp Capt Ajith Krishnan; Angad Pratap; P. Balakrishnan Nair
- Designed by: ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in collaboration with Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), IAF; Protoplanet Private Limited (Bengaluru startup) manages facilities and logistics
- Gaganyaan: India’s first crewed spaceflight mission; target: 2027; sends 3 astronauts to 400 km orbit for a 3-day mission
Mission MITRA = Mapping of Interoperable Traits & Reliability Assessment; held at Leh, Ladakh (altitude: 3,500 m) from 2–9 April 2026. All 4 Gaganyatris participated: Shubhanshu Shukla, Ajith Krishnan, Angad Pratap, P. Balakrishnan Nair. Designed by HSFC + IAM (IAF). Gaganyaan target: 2027, orbit: 400 km, duration: 3 days.
📅 Important Days
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action annually on 4 April to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), and to promote national mine-action capacities in conflict-affected countries. 4 April 2026 marks the 21st observance.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 4 April (annually) |
| 2026 observance | 21st International Day for Mine Awareness |
| UN Resolution | A/RES/60/97, adopted 8 December 2005 |
| First observance | 4 April 2006 |
| Led by | United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) |
| 2026 Theme | ‘Invest in Mine Action’ |
- UNMAS: United Nations Mine Action Service — works to eliminate mine threats worldwide
- 2026 Theme: ‘Invest in Mine Action’ — highlighting need for sustained global funding for landmine clearance
- India’s position: Non-party to the Mine Ban Treaty (MBT); continues producing and stockpiling anti-personnel mines; contributed USD 1.2 million to international mine action in 2024
International Day for Mine Awareness = 4 April; 21st observance in 2026. UN Resolution A/RES/60/97, adopted 8 December 2005; first observed 4 April 2006. Led by UNMAS. 2026 Theme: ‘Invest in Mine Action’. India is NOT a party to the Mine Ban Treaty; contributed USD 1.2 million to mine action in 2024.
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Conscience (IDC) annually on 5 April to promote a culture of peace guided by love and conscience. The 2026 theme is ‘Acting with Ethics, Empathy, and Integrity.’
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 5 April (annually) |
| UN Resolution | A/RES/73/329, adopted 25 July 2019 |
| Resolution title | ‘Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience’ |
| Initiated by | Kingdom of Bahrain |
| First observance | 5 April 2020 |
| 2026 Theme | ‘Acting with Ethics, Empathy, and Integrity’ |
- Observance at UNESCO: At its 209th session, Bahrain proposed observing the IDC annually on 5 April at UNESCO HQ, Paris, France — in line with UNGA Resolution A/RES/73/329; Bahrain also co-organiser
International Day of Conscience (IDC) = 5 April. UN Resolution A/RES/73/329 adopted 25 July 2019; first observed 5 April 2020. Initiated by Bahrain; observed at UNESCO HQ, Paris. 2026 Theme: ‘Acting with Ethics, Empathy, and Integrity.’
The Indian Army (IA) observed the Raising Day of Army Medical Corps (AMC) on 3 April to commemorate its establishment in 1764. 3 April 2026 marks the 262nd Raising Day of AMC.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| AMC established (Raising Day) | 3 April 1764 |
| 2026 Raising Day | 262nd |
| Indian Medical Service (IMS) origin | 1612 (British East India Company) |
| IAMC Admin HQ established | Pune, Maharashtra — May 1943 |
| Renamed to AMC | 26 January 1950 |
- 2026 Event: Walkathon themed ‘One Health, One Force, 262 Years Strong’ held on 29 March 2026 at Cariappa Parade Ground, New Delhi
- Flagged off by: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS)
Army Medical Corps (AMC) Raising Day: 3 April; established 1764; 262nd Raising Day in 2026. Origin: IMS (1612) under British East India Company. IAMC Admin HQ in Pune (May 1943). Renamed AMC on 26 January 1950. 2026 walkathon theme: ‘One Health, One Force, 262 Years Strong’. DGAFMS: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin.
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