Daily Current Affairs

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Valour Day, also known as Shaurya Diwas, is observed every year on 9 April to honour the bravery of CRPF personnel during the 1965 Battle of Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The year 2026 marks the 61st CRPF Valour Day.

• Operation Desert Hawk: On 9 April 1965, the Pakistani Army launched this operation — sending a full infantry brigade to attack Sardar Post. A small unit of the 2nd Battalion CRPF repulsed the assault, killing 34 enemy soldiers, capturing 4, and sacrificing 6 of their own.
• CRPF: India’s largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF); established 27 July 1939; HQ: New Delhi; under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); Director General (DG): Anish Dayal Singh.

In April 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved two mega hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh (AR) with a combined investment of ₹40,175.33 crore to boost renewable energy, strengthen energy security, and promote sustainable development in the North-Eastern region.

• Kalai-II extras: Includes development of ~29 km of roads and bridges for local connectivity in Namsai and Anjaw Districts.
• Kamala extras: Includes ₹4,743.98 crore for flood moderation, ₹1,340 crore for enabling infrastructure, ₹750 crore as Central Financial Assistance for State’s equity share; supports Brahmaputra valley flood moderation.
• National Goal: Aligns with India’s 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030.

In April 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved a series of significant proposals covering fertiliser subsidies, urban transit expansion, and oil refinery revision.

• NBS Rates for Kharif 2026: Approved by the Department of Fertilizers (DoF) under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F) — fixing Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for P&K fertilizers from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026; tentative budgetary allocation: ₹41,533.81 crore.
• Jaipur Metro Phase-2: A 41 km corridor connecting Prahladpura to Todi Mod; estimated cost: ₹13,037.66 crore.
• HRRL Revised Cost: CCEA approved revised cost of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) project from ₹43,129 crore to ₹79,459 crore; Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) will invest additional equity of ₹8,962 crore; total HPCL equity investment reaches ₹19,600 crore.

In April 2026, Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) initiated a campaign to establish the Skills Outcomes Fund (SOF) in New Delhi — a first-of-its-kind initiative to enhance employment opportunities for youth from low-income backgrounds across India.

• Objective: Mobilise capital; link skilling to verified employment outcomes; scale as the world’s largest Outcomes-Based Financing (OBF) initiative.
• Anchor: Led by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under MSDE as the nodal implementing agency.
• Model: Blended finance combining government, private, and philanthropic capital — payments linked to verified employment results.
• Focus Sectors: IT-ITeS, Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), healthcare, logistics, green jobs, and electronics.
• NSDC: Public-private partnership under MSDE; HQ: New Delhi.

In April 2026, Nidhi Chhibber (CEO of NITI Aayog) released the second edition of the report titled ‘From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India’s Evolving Credit Market’ in New Delhi, highlighting women’s transformative role in India’s credit landscape.

• Collaboration: Prepared under the aegis of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP); developed by TransUnion CIBIL in collaboration with MicroSave Consulting (MSC).
• NITI Aayog: Established 1 January 2015 (replacing Planning Commission); HQ: New Delhi; CEO: Nidhi Chhibber.

In April 2026, India officially withdrew its proposal to host COP33 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2028, leaving South Korea as the sole bidder. The decision was communicated on 2 April 2026 by Rajat Agarwal (Joint Secretary, MoEFCC) to the chair of the UN Asia-Pacific Group, citing “a review of its commitments for 2028.”

• Original Proposal: PM Narendra Modi proposed India as COP33 host during his address at the High-Level Segment (HLS) of COP28 in December 2023 in the UAE.
• India’s Previous Hosting: India hosted COP8 in 2002 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• COP Sequence: COP31 → Türkiye (co-hosted with Australia); COP32 → Ethiopia (African Group); COP33 (2028) → Asia-Pacific Group’s turn — now without a confirmed host.
• UNFCCC: Established 1992; Secretariat: Bonn, Germany; COP = highest decision-making body for climate commitments.

In April 2026, Union MoS (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh (Ministry of Science & Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences) announced the establishment of a Seismological Observatory in Kishtwar and a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) in Doda, Jammu & Kashmir. The announcement was made while chairing the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting at the DC Office Complex in Doda.

• Doppler Weather Radar (DWR): Will facilitate precise, real-time monitoring of weather conditions; significantly enhance early warning systems and disaster management capabilities under Mission Mausam.
• Seismological Observatory: Will augment India’s national seismic monitoring network; improve earthquake detection and analysis; reinforce disaster preparedness in the region.
• AWS: Site selection also completed for Automated Weather Stations (AWS) in remote areas of Paddar and Machail to enhance weather forecasting and disaster management.

In April 2026, the Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) launched the ‘Aluminium Bharat’ initiative to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities, promote sustainable industrial growth, and position India as a global leader in aluminium production and exports. The initiative was unveiled by Union MoS Jitin Prasada (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) in New Delhi.

• Exhibition: ALEMAI will host ‘Aluminium Bharat 2026’ — India’s first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the entire aluminium value chain — from 26–29 September 2026.
• Significance: Aluminium value chain supports 10 lakh+ jobs in India; vital for Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and the USD 5 trillion economy goal.

In April 2026, NTPC Limited (India’s largest power utility) signed a strategic non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France’s Électricité de France (EDF) to explore collaboration in the development of nuclear power projects in India. Signed by Arnada Prasad Samal (CGM, Nuclear Cell, NTPC) and Vakisasi Ramany (SVP, International Nuclear Development, EDF).

• Technology: Jointly assess feasibility of EDF’s European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology for deployment in India.
• Implementation: Explore localisation opportunities; assess economic and tariff aspects; identify potential project sites; extend technical support.
• Training: Build human resource capabilities through specialised training programmes to support India’s nuclear energy ambitions.
• NTPC: India’s largest power utility; installed capacity: 89+ GW; 32 GW under construction; target: 149 GW total capacity by 2032 (including 60 GW from RE); HQ: New Delhi.
• EDF: State-owned French electric utility; HQ: Paris, France; one of the world’s largest electricity producers; expertise in EPR nuclear technology.

In April 2026, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted a Special Task Force (STF) to enhance India’s agricultural resilience by addressing global disruptions, ensuring food and input security, and providing data-driven policy inputs amid geopolitical and climate challenges.

• Trigger: Disruptions in global food and fertiliser supply chains, climate volatility, energy market issues, and rising input costs.
• First meeting: Chaired by Mangi Lal Jat (Secretary, DARE, MoA&FW) and Director General of ICAR.
• Key Initiatives:
  • MGMG programme in 100 Aspirational Districts via KVKs.
  • Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) to save 20–30% water.
  • Promoting balanced fertiliser use in wheat and rice.
  • Diversification through eco-fisheries in Kharif season.
  • Strengthening AICRP on Agricultural Meteorology for real-time advisories.
• ICAR: Under DARE (Department of Agricultural Research and Education), MoA&FW; HQ: New Delhi; DG: Mangi Lal Jat.

On 8 April 2026, Puducherry election authorities deployed ‘Nila’ — a saree-clad humanoid robot — for the first time in Assembly elections at the VOC Government School polling booth in Puducherry. Nila greeted voters with flowers, provided booth directions, and assisted in Tamil and English.

• Purpose: Create a high-tech, welcoming environment for voters; attract younger citizens and first-time voters.
• Development: Developed by Coimbatore-based Robo Mirror; Nila is an event-based interactive robot — detects voters via sensors, designed for multiple public settings including weddings, official functions, and elections.
• Significance: First deployment of a humanoid robot at a polling station during Assembly elections in India.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted the 60th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) — 1st bi-monthly monetary policy of FY27 — from 6–8 April 2026, under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Dr. Sanjay Malhotra. The MPC unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% under a neutral stance amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

• GDP Quarterly Forecast FY27: Q1: 6.8%; Q2: 6.7%; Q3: 7.0%; Q4: 7.2%.
• CPI Quarterly Forecast FY27: Q1: 4.0%; Q2: 4.4%; Q3: 5.2%; Q4: 4.7%; core inflation: 4.4%.
• Key Risks: West Asia conflict (higher energy/LPG prices, supply disruptions); possible El Niño impacting southwest monsoon and food prices; INR depreciation pressure.
• Rate Cut History: RBI has cut repo rate by a cumulative 125 bps since February 2025.
• MPC Members: Dr. Sanjay Malhotra (Governor, Chairman), Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Saugata Bhattacharya, Prof. Ram Singh, Dr. Poonam Gupta, Indranil Bhattacharyya.
• RBI: Established 1 April 1935; HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra; Governor: Dr. Sanjay Malhotra.

In April 2026, the World Bank (WB) released its latest ‘South Asia Economic (SAE) Update April 2026: Working with Industrial Policy’ report, revising India’s GDP growth forecast for FY27 upward from 6.3% to 6.6%. However, growth is expected to moderate compared to previous years due to headwinds from the West Asia conflict.

• Positive factor: Rationalisation of GST rates expected to support consumer demand in H1 FY27 (April–September 2026).
• Risk: High global energy prices could increase inflation and restrict household spending power.
• World Bank: Established 1944 (Bretton Woods); HQ: Washington DC, USA; President: Ajay Banga (since June 2023).

In April 2026, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations (UN) announced that India was elected by acclamation to three subsidiary bodies of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). India’s Ambassador Preeti Saran was also re-elected to a key rights panel.

• ECOSOC: United Nations Economic and Social Council — one of the six principal organs of the UN; coordinates the economic, social, and related work of 15 UN specialised agencies.

On 7 April 2026, the Nasscom Foundation announced the appointment of UB Pravin Rao as its new Chairperson, effective immediately. He succeeds Rostow Ravanan, who completed his tenure.

• About UB Pravin Rao: Over 35 years of experience in the technology sector; previously served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Infosys; associated with NASSCOM since 2014; also served as Vice Chairperson and Chairman of NASSCOM.
• Nasscom Foundation: The not-for-profit arm of NASSCOM; promotes technology-led social impact and digital inclusion.
• NASSCOM: National Association of Software and Service Companies; India’s premier trade body for IT-BPM industry; HQ: New Delhi.

In April 2026, James Warren Whittaker, also known as Jim Whittaker — the first American to summit Mount Everest — passed away at the age of 97 in Port Townsend, Washington, USA. He was born on 10 February 1929 in Seattle, Washington, USA.

• Everest Summit: Became the first American to summit Mount Everest on 1 May 1963 with Nawang Gombu, becoming the 10th climber ever to reach the summit.
• Career: First full-time employee and later CEO of REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) from 1971–1979, expanding it into a major outdoor retail cooperative.
• Key Expeditions: American ascent of K2 (1978); 1965 Mount Kennedy expedition with Robert F. Kennedy; 1990 Everest International Peace Climb.
• Honours: Received the Hubbard Medal (National Geographic Society’s top honour) from President John F. Kennedy; landmarks: Big Jim Mountain and Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail.
• Memoir: ‘A Life on the Edge’, published in 1999.