Daily Current Affairs

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its April 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled ‘Global Economy in the Shadow of War’. Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies, India has slipped from 4th to 6th position in global GDP rankings, falling behind UK (USD 4 trillion) and Japan (USD 4.4 trillion). India’s economy is projected to reach USD 3.92 trillion in 2025 (up from USD 3.5 trillion in 2024).

• WEO Title: ‘Global Economy in the Shadow of War’ — April 2026 edition.
• India’s trajectory: Fastest-growing major economy; expected to overtake Japan by 2028; GDP estimated to reach USD 6.17 trillion by 2030.
• USA: Retains the No. 1 position with projected GDP of USD 39 trillion.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) released its April 2026 insights report titled ‘Growth in the New Economy: Towards a Blueprint’, projecting the global economy to expand by USD 56 trillion over the next five years, driven by AI, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies.

• Middle-income economies: Expected to contribute around 65% of cumulative GDP growth between 2025 and 2030.
• Asia: Set to remain the primary engine of global expansion, contributing more than 50% of total growth.
• Low-income economies: Despite recording the fastest growth rates, likely to account for only about 1% of global growth.
• Key drivers: AI, quantum computing, and emerging technologies flagged as primary growth catalysts.

In April 2026, Bloomberg News published the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2026. Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, overtook Mukesh Ambani (CMD, Reliance Industries) to become the richest person in Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Karnataka on 15 April 2026, where he inaugurated the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district. The visit was marked by several significant events.

• Felicitation: PM Modi was presented a Mysuru Peta — a traditional silk headgear adorned with pearls and pendants, historically worn by King Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar of Mysuru.
• Nine-Point Agenda: PM Modi unveiled a citizen-driven development agenda for ‘Viksit Karnataka’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’.
• Book Release: PM Modi jointly released ‘Saundarya Lahari and Shiva Mahimna Stotram’ with former PM H. D. Deve Gowda.
• Venue: Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Mandya, Karnataka.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) notified India’s first chip fabrication plant — a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be established by Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited (TSMPL), a subsidiary of Tata Group.

• Objective: Supports electronic hardware, software, and IT-enabled services with enabling infrastructure and a dedicated approval mechanism.
• Significance: First-of-its-kind chip fab in India; designed to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and reduce import dependence.
• Policy basis: Follows amendments to SEZ Rules 2006 made in 2025 to promote domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) constituted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) — a high-level inter-ministerial body to serve as India’s central institutional mechanism for AI governance policy development and coordination.

• Background: AIGEG was recommended as one of 3 institutions in India’s AI Governance Guidelines and the Economic Survey.
• Aim: Align ministries, departments, regulators, and advisory bodies around a coherent national AI strategy.

In April 2026, P. C. Mody, Secretary General of Rajya Sabha, announced the reconstitution of the Panel of Vice-Chairpersons effective from 15 April 2026, nominated by C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

• Role: Members of the Panel preside over Rajya Sabha in the absence of both the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
• Nominating authority: C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• Secretary General: P. C. Mody.

On 16 April 2026, Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with both the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) to enhance data sharing, strengthen fraud detection, and curb money laundering.

• FIU-IND–SEBI MoU: Strengthens coordination, intelligence sharing, and securities market surveillance through regular exchange of financial data; includes cooperation with foreign Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs).
• FIU-IND–PFRDA MoU: Both organisations designate dedicated nodal officers; enables exchange of financial intelligence with global counterparts per Egmont Group principles.
• Legal Framework: Operates under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), PML Rules 2005, and Egmont Principles of Information Exchange.

On 15 April 2026, Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), chaired the First Health Working Group (HWG) Meeting under the BRICS framework for 2026, in New Delhi.

• Participants: Senior health officials and technical experts from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, and Indonesia.
• India’s role: As BRICS Chair 2026, India proposed the ‘BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles’ and promotion of mental health and wellness.
• BRICS 2026 Theme: ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.

On 16 April 2026, the Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), to implement a Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) under the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Management initiative. Odisha becomes the first state to adopt the MSP in the second phase.

• Signatories: Pooja Mishra (Additional Secretary, Science & Technology, Govt. of Odisha) and R. S. Kankara (Director, NCCR) — in the presence of CM Mohan Charan Majhi, Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.
• Background: India-Norway collaboration on sustainable ocean planning launched in 2019; initial phase focused on Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
• Objective: Promote coastal economic growth while ensuring protection of marine ecosystems along Odisha’s 574-km coastline.
• Climate resilience: Incorporates data-driven strategies to make coastal communities more resilient to climate change and rising sea levels.

In April 2026, SEBI relaxed key norms for the Social Stock Exchange (SSE), extending the registration validity for Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and lowering the minimum subscription requirement for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments.

• NPO Registration Extension: Registration period extended to 3 years (from 2 years); NPOs can remain registered on SSE without raising funds.
• ZCZP Minimum Subscription: Lowered to 50% (from 75%) to enhance fundraising flexibility for NPOs.
• Refund clause: Funds will be refunded to investors if the minimum subscription requirement is not met.

On 15 April 2026, World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga announced the launch of ‘Water Forward’ — a global platform in collaboration with multilateral development banks and development finance institutions to improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030.

• Direct target: Deliver water security to 400 million people by 2030.
• Partner commitments: Cover an additional 600 million people, bringing the combined total to 1 billion.
• Framework: Adopts country-led water compacts aligning policy reforms, financing, partnerships, and investment-ready projects with private and philanthropic participation.

In April 2026, Kerala-based Indian botanist N. Alim Yusuf was honoured with the WWF National Award at the National ECHO Youth Innovation Summit 2026, held at the International Youth Biodiversity Conference in Hyderabad, Telangana.

On 16 April 2026, ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revolutionise sustainable land management in India by combining satellite technology with ecological expertise.

• Aim: Support land use planning, climate action, conservation, and rural livelihoods by combining ISRO’s satellite-based mapping with ATREE’s field-based ecological validation.
• Scope: Map nearly 319,675 sq. km — about 10% of India’s total land area — focusing on Open Natural Ecosystems (ONE) such as shrublands, woodland savannas, and saline landscapes.
• Significance: A major step toward India’s commitment to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030.

In April 2026, a team of scientists from India and Indonesia announced the discovery of a new species of burrowing reed snake, named ‘Calamaria garoensis’ (commonly: Garo Hills reed snake), discovered in Oragitok, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya.

• Key characteristics: Small, non-venomous; subtle nuchal (neck) ring; short blunt tail; black stripe underneath; smooth scales in 13 rows on dark brown body.
• Challenge: Often misidentified as Calamaria pavimentata, now recognised as a species complex.

World Chagas Disease Day (WCDD) is observed annually on 14 April to raise awareness about Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi).

National Fire Service Day (NFSD) is observed every year on 14 April across India to honour firefighters who sacrificed their lives during the 1944 Bombay Dock Explosion. The day marks the start of Fire Service Week (14–20 April).

On 16 April 2026, Narayana (N.) Ramachandran, popularly known as ‘Rami’, former President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the World Squash Federation (WSF), passed away at the age of 77 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was born in 1948 in Chennai.

• Legacy: Established the Indian Squash Academy (ISA) in Chennai in 2000 to promote and develop squash talent in India.