Daily Current Affairs

World Hemophilia Day (WHD) is observed annually on 17 April to raise awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders that affect the blood’s ability to clot. It was initiated by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in 1989, with the first observance on 17 April 1989.

The International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), popularly known as World Heritage Day, is observed every year on 18 April to highlight the significance of safeguarding cultural and historical heritage. The 2026 theme focuses on heritage in crisis zones.

Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Dr. Christian Stocker visited India from 14–17 April 2026 on an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — marking the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in 42 years and the first official visit of Chancellor Stocker to India.

• Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM): A bilateral FTM was signed and operationalised to facilitate investments.
• 17th IAJEC: India-Austria Joint Economic Commission session held in New Delhi as a key platform to advance bilateral economic relations.
• India-Austria Business Forum: Held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi; participated by senior government officials and industry leaders.
• Agreements: Multiple MOUs signed across audiovisual co-production, defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, food safety, and skill development.

On 18 April 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – III (PMGSY-III) along with revision of its budget, extending its timeline to ensure completion of rural road and bridge infrastructure.

• Purpose: Programme focuses on consolidation of through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools, and hospitals.
• Revised Budget: Rs 83,977 crore, up from the earlier Rs 80,250 crore.

In April 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved the creation of a domestic insurance pool named Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) with a sovereign guarantee of Rs 12,980 crore — aimed at reducing marine insurance costs for Indian shipping.

• Coverage: Covers Indian-flagged, Indian-controlled, and India-linked vessels transporting cargo to and from Indian ports, including those in high-risk maritime corridors.
• Risks Covered: Hull and Machinery, Cargo, Protection and Indemnity (P&I), war risks, and third-party liabilities.
• Capacity: Combined underwriting capacity of approximately Rs 950 crore through pool member insurers under a pooled mechanism.
• Tenure: 10 years, extendable up to 15 years.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) constituted the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) — an Advisory Arm — to provide expert advisory support to the newly established Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) (Apex Body) in New Delhi, for strengthening India’s AI governance and policy framework.

• Role: Translate complex technologies into practical policy insights; reinforce India’s participation in global AI governance forums.
• Chairman: S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), through the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) (DCH) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), launched ‘Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World’ showcasing a designer collection at the 61st Femina Miss India 2026 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• Features: 30 traditional weaves from different states, each creatively adapted using inspirations from 30 countries to showcase varied international aesthetics.
• Objective: Globalise India’s handloom heritage by integrating tradition with contemporary fashion, while boosting exports, supporting artisans, and enhancing cultural outreach.
• Vision: Aligns with the 5F Framework (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) and the ‘Vocal for Local to Global’ initiative.
• Event: Showcased at 61st Femina Miss India 2026, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

In April 2026, Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), announced that India has set a target to increase its nuclear power capacity from the existing 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047 — marking over a tenfold increase. The announcement was made at the inaugural session of India’s 100 GW Nuclear Power Roadmap in New Delhi.

On 18 April 2026, Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), a Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), signed an MoU with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to jointly work on digital transformation and advanced technologies aligned with the vision of Digital India.

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) hosted the inaugural ‘BRICS Academic Forum’ in New Delhi from 17–18 April 2026 — a Track II initiative under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026.

In April 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) released data showing that Singapore emerged as the top source of FDI equity inflows in April–December FY26 at USD 17.6 billion, accounting for 37% of the total.

In April 2026, State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank, released its latest ‘SBI Research Report’, projecting India’s GDP growth at 6.8%–7.1% for Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27), despite global headwinds from West Asia conflicts and oil price pressures.

In April 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) officially appointed its advisor Rakesh Bhanot as the Acting Director General (DG) to lead its investigative arm.

• Succeeded: Ansuman Pattanaik, who stepped down in March 2026 to take up the role of Additional Secretary in the MCA.
• Profile: Key technical expert in financial and economic analysis of mergers, acquisitions, and anti-competitive conduct. Served as Advisor (Financial Analysis) at CCI from 2013 to 2021.
• CCI: Competition Commission of India; under Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

In April 2026, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, the Director and Vice-Chancellor of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), was conferred the 9th Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Award for 2024–25 in Hyderabad, Telangana, coinciding with the birth centenary year of M. S. Swaminathan, the pioneer of India’s Green Revolution.

Rathi Steel received the GreenPro Ecolabel Certification from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for its Rathi Powertech TMT rebars (Thermo-Mechanically Treated reinforcement bar) manufactured at its Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh unit.

• Coverage: Fe 550 grade TMT rebars produced at RSPL’s Ghaziabad manufacturing unit.
• Eco Label Type: Type-1 Eco label certifying environmental performance; aligns with LEED and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) green building credits.
• GreenPro: Certification issued by CII (Confederation of Indian Industry).

In April 2026, Padma Shri awardee Bhagwandas Raikwar, popularly known as ‘Dau’ and a pioneer of Bundeli martial arts, passed away at the age of 83 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He was born on January 2, 1944, in the Bundelkhand region of MP.

• Awards: Padma Shri (India’s fourth-highest civilian award) in the field of Sports (Traditional Martial Arts) in 2026.
• Legacy: Master of weapon-based combat specialising in lathi (staff), talwar (sword), bhala (spear), dhal (shield), and trishul (trident).
• Institution: Founded Chhatrasal Bundelkhand Akhada in Sagar, MP in 1964.

In April 2026, Balbir Punj, veteran journalist and former Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, passed away at the age of 76 in New Delhi. He was born in 1949.

• Career: Began career with ‘The Motherland’ (1971); worked with Financial Express (1974–1996); Executive Editor of The Observer of Business and Politics.
• Public Roles: Chairman of National Commission for Youth; member of Delhi Finance Commission (1996–97); BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP.
• Authorship: Authored ‘Tryst with Ayodhya: Decolonisation of India’ and ‘Narrative ka Mayajaal’.