Gender & Development
International Girls in ICT Day — 2026 Theme & ITU
Observed on the 4th Thursday of April (23 April 2026). Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN specialised agency. 2026 theme: ‘AI for Development: Girls shaping the digital future’. First observed on 28 April 2011, following ITU Resolution 70 of the Plenipotentiary Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico (2010). Aim: inspire girls and young women to pursue ICT careers and promote gender equality in the digital sector.
Environment
MoEFCC–NBA Biodiversity Project — GEF & UNDP
Five-year project (2025–2030): ‘Strengthening Institutional Capacities for Securing Biodiversity Conservation Commitments’. Partners: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) + National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). Funded by GEF (Global Environment Facility) and UNDP: grant of USD 4.88 million. Locations: Sathyamangalam landscape (Tamil Nadu) and Garo Hills (Meghalaya). Integrates biodiversity into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs); activates Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms.
Economy
Knight Frank Wealth Report 2026 — India’s UHNWI Ranking
20th edition of The Wealth Report 2026. India ranked 6th globally with 19,877 UHNWIs and 207 billionaires (2.8% of world’s ultra-wealthy). Projected growth by 2031: UHNWIs up 27% → 25,217; billionaires up 51% → 313. USA topped with 251,352 UHNWIs. India is the 3rd largest by billionaire count (after USA: 914, China: 485). Globally, UHNWIs grew from 551,435 (2021) to 713,626 (2026).
Defence
DRDO Advanced Armoured Platforms — FICV Programme
Unveiled on 25 April 2026 by DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat at Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. Part of the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) programme — designed to replace the ageing BMP-2K Sarath Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). Developed by VRDE (Vehicles Research and Development Establishment) with 65% indigenous content (target: 90%). Manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Bharat Forge Limited (BFL). Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Business & Economy
B. Ramesh Babu — KVB MD & CEO Reappointment
RBI approved B. Ramesh Babu’s reappointment as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) for a third two-year term (29 July 2026 – 28 July 2028). Leading KVB since 2020, succeeding P. R. Seshadri. Also serves as Member, Managing Committee, Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and Director, Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF). Notable milestone: KVB took 104 years to reach its first Rs 1 trillion in total business; Ramesh Babu added the second Rs 1 trillion in just 4 years.
Sports
ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 — India Tops Medal Tally
Held in Cairo, Egypt (19–27 April 2026). India topped with 16 medals: 5 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze. India fielded the largest contingent: 71 shooters out of 284 from 25 federations. AIN (Individual Neutral Athletes) finished 2nd (11 medals); France 3rd (6 medals). Next event: ISSF Junior World Championship 2026 in Suhl, Germany (June 2026). Event covered Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun disciplines.
Health
World Malaria Day — 25 April 2026
Observed annually on 25 April. 2026 theme: ‘Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.’ Evolved from Africa Malaria Day (launched 2001, post-Abuja Declaration by 44 endemic countries). Instituted by WHO member states at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2007; first observed on 25 April 2008. Aims to spread awareness and encourage coordinated global efforts for malaria prevention, control, and elimination.
Sports
London Marathon 2026 — Sabastian Sawe’s Sub-2-Hour Historic Record
Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe (31) became the first to run a sub-two-hour marathon in competitive conditions, breaking the world record previously held by Kelvin Kiptum (2023). Men’s podium: Sawe (Kenya), Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia), Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) — all three broke the previous record. Women’s winner: Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia) — set women-only world record, defending champion. Wheelchair winners: Marcel Hug (men) and Catherine Debrunner (women), both Switzerland.
Governance
Mission Jagrook — SEBI’s 38th Foundation Day
FM Nirmala Sitharaman delivered keynote at SEBI’s 38th Foundation Day in Mumbai (April 2026). Launched ‘Mission Jagrook’ — nationwide investor awareness campaign against misinformation, fraud, and manipulative financial content. SEBI established in 1992 under the SEBI Act; HQ: Mumbai. Sitharaman highlighted rising cyber threats and appreciated SEBI’s action against unregistered ‘fin-fluencers’ providing misleading financial advice. Urged expansion of awareness campaigns across digital platforms and regional languages.
International
FIDE Joins IWGA — Chess as 40th Member
FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) became the 40th member of the International World Games Association (IWGA) at IWGA’s AGM 2026 at the Olympic Museum, Lausanne, Switzerland. Marks chess’s formal recognition as a ‘mind sport’. Opens pathway for chess inclusion in The World Games (multi-sport event for non-Olympic disciplines). FIDE established: 1924; HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland; current President: Arkady Dvorkovich.